"Come and Play" Scheme in India
2011-05-26
What is 'Come and Play' Scheme?Under 'Come and Play' Scheme, all the five stadiums of Sports Authority of India (SAI) are opened for public. Sportsperson can submit the registration and can practice for their sports by paying very low fees. This scheme is initiated by Sports Authority of India (SAI) in collaboration with Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports of India.
Stadiums opened for public by SAI
- Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi.
- Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Near India Gate, New Delhi.
- Indira Gandhi Stadium, I.T.O., New Delhi.
- Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Swimming Pool Complex, Willingdon Crescent Road, New Delhi.
- Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Ranges, Tughlakabad, New Delhi.
Sports covered under 'Come and Play' Scheme
Following sports can be played by a sportsperson in the stadiums of SAI under 'Come and Play' Scheme:
- Hockey
- Athletics
- Volleyball
- Swimming (Not for beginners)
- Badminton
- Judo Cricket
- Weightlifting
- Football
- Table Tennis
- Wrestling
- Basketball
- Cycling
- Gymnastics
- Boxing
- Shooting
- Boxing
10,000 students enroll under 'Come and Play' scheme
Ajay Maken, Indian minister of sports stated on May 17 that 10,000 students have registered under the government's "Come and Play" scheme.
Minister Ajay Maken said that the largest number of students enrolled for cricket with 2,400 entries, followed by football (1498), Swimming (1000) and Athletics (924).
"In this scheme, our aim is to bring the children to the sports fields. After the summer vacation is over, we are trying to work out a few models where we can tie up these stadia with the schools, so that these stadia can be utilised properly," he said.
Asked whether the number of cricket pitches offered all over Delhi under this scheme is less, considering the popularity of the game, Maken said, "For cricket we have provided nine pitches in the National stadium itself. We also have place at Vinay Marg and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. If needed, we can work out more plans.
"But for cricket, there are a lot of academies and facilities available all over Delhi. We want to emphasise on those sports where there are not much facilities available. I am happy that about 350 students have enrolled for hockey and basketball. Even volleyball has got good response."
Insisting that the government's intention is to utilise the infrastructure built during last year's Commonwealth Games, he said the aim is to broad base sports in the Capital and in the nearby areas.
"Actually the aim is to make use of the infrastructure and broad base sports in Delhi and nearby cities. Secondly, we want to create Centre of Excellence in each of these stadia. And thirdly, we would want to conduct as many tournaments as possible in these stadia," Maken said.
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