Govt to back 13 multi-city, franchise-based leagues
NEW DELHI: In an ever-growing world of professional leagues, Indian govt has worked on an ambitious plan to have more such multi-city, franchisebased events in at least 13 Olympic and non-Olympic disciplines to develop a sports culture in the country.
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Sports minister
announced on Thursday plans to introduce league formats in basketball, badminton, archery, boxing, wrestling, white water sports and polo with govt's backing. Leagues in hockey and kabaddi are already operational, while shooting and yogasana leagues are scheduled to commence later this year.
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The ministry aims to facilitate connections between national sports federations (NSFs) and corporate entities interested in substantial investments towards developing leaguebased sporting events in India. Like in the case of privately-operated
(PKL), the ministry's intention is not to create a parallel league but rather provide it comprehensive support to ensure the sustainability.
'We already have leagues in hockey and kabaddi. Shooting and Yogasana leagues are beginning later this year. Two other leagues in cycling and rugby are in an advances stage… only the dates are to be announced. Apart from backing them all, the ministry will support leagues in basketball, badminton, archery, boxing, wrestling, white water sports and polo to have a dedicated league structure in the country. This suits our global ambitions to make India a sporting powerhouse,' Mandaviya said.
'By the end of 2025, we will have all these 13 leagues up and running. These all will be professional leagues, in both the men's and women's sections. It will be the best way to keep the athletes engaged. Sometimes, an NSF want to have its own proper league but does not have enough funding, infrastructure support and corporate backing. That's where the ministry will chip in and support such NSFs. The ministry will be overseeing the conduct of these multi-city, franchise-based leagues in 13 disciplines,' the minister added.
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The ministry has been instrumental in securing corporate funding for existing hockey and kabaddi leagues and will ensure similar support for shooting, yogasana, cycling and rugby leagues.
Addressing concerns about sustainability and financial viability, Mandaviya assured that ministerial involvement would ensure continuous smooth operations of these leagues.
'We want to make Indian sports robust by ensuring the best standards for our athletes. We are aiming to host the Olympics in 2036,' he added.
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