MYAS Joint Secretary Vineel Krishna visits Ahmedabad's Vijayi Bharat Foundation
Ahmedabad, May 20
Vineel Krishna, Joint Secretary, Department of Sports, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, visited Ahmedabad's Vijayi Bharat Foundation and held a meaningful discussion with VBF directors and senior staff members on the future of sports development in India.
Vineel Krishna, who had earlier served as Principal Secretary of the Sports and Youth Services Department (DSYS) in Odisha, had played a significant role in establishing Odisha as a prominent sports hub in India. He was instrumental in Odisha successfully hosting the FIH Men's Hockey World Cups in 2018 and 2023, making it the first state in the country to host consecutive Hockey World Cups.
During his visit, he had a detailed conversation with VBF members on strengthening athlete pathways, building structured development systems, and creating a unified vision for Indian sport from grassroots to elite performance, said a release.
VBF also had a conversation regarding the broader role of SAI, the current sporting ecosystem, and the collaborative efforts required to strengthen India's international sporting performance, with particular focus being placed on the development of athlete pathways and support required for peak performance at the international level.
During his visit, Krishna also observed a live fencing practice session and engaged in discussions regarding pathways to further strengthen and grow sport development initiatives and toured the High-Performance Centre (HPC), including VBF's hydrotherapy facilities, which he deeply appreciated and encouraged VBF to continue its ongoing efforts.
VBF also shared its long-term vision for collaborative support systems that can help athletes thrive at every stage of their journey and expressed gratitude for the insights and encouragement that were provided by the Joint Secretary.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see government officials actually visiting ground-level facilities and having detailed discussions rather than just doing ribbon-cutting ceremonies. The focus on fencing and hydrotherapy shows they're thinking about both traditional and emerging sports. Hope this translates into real policy changes and funding!
While this is promising, I hope the focus is not just on Olympic sports. India has a rich tradition in kabaddi, kho kho, and other indigenous games. The real test will be whether this collaborative model actually helps athletes from smaller towns and rural areas. Talk is cheap, show us the results at Paris 2024!
As someone who follows Indian sports closely, this is encouraging. The way Odisha has transformed its sports infrastructure is remarkable. If Vineel Krishna can bring that same vision to the national level through SAI collaboration, it could be a game-changer. The hydrotherapy focus shows modern, scientific thinking. Let's hope other states follow suit.
Vineel Krishna's track record in Odisha is impressive - hosting back-to-back Hockey World Cups was no small feat. But I want to see concrete plans for athlete scholarships, coaching development, and equipment access for underprivileged youth. The discussion is great, but executing a unified vision requires massive investment and political will. Fingers crossed! 🤞
Finally someone recognizing that sports development needs a bottom-up approach. The mention of 'athlete pathways' and 'structured development systems' is music to my ears. We produce talent but lose it due to lack of proper support systems. Hope VBF and SAI collaboration leads to a national sports policy that actually works for athletes. 🏅
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