In a significant move to bolster the sports culture in Maharashtra, Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Sanjay Bansode announced a substantial increase in funding for divisional, district, and taluka sports complexes. Speaking at the grand opening of the State Level School Dodgeball Tournament in Udgir, Minister Bansode revealed that the Maharashtra government would award 1 crore to gold medalists, 75 lakh to silver medalists, and 50 lakh to bronze medalists.
Over the past four months, Minister Bansode, in collaboration with state leadership, has allocated Rs. 75 crores for Divisional Sports Complexes, Rs. 50 crores for District Sports Complexes, Rs. 10 crores for Taluka level Sports Complexes, and Rs. 7 lakhs for Gram Panchayat level, which has now been increased to Rs. 14 lakh.
Highlighting efforts to instill a sports culture in Udgir, Minister Bansode shared plans to construct a significant sports complex in the Jalkot area, including a mini stadium at the Zilla Parishad Patangana in Udgir with a fund of Rs. 9 crore. Emphasizing the importance of sports at the grassroots level, he welcomed players and coaches from across the state to Udgir Nagar, encouraging them to pursue careers in sports.
The State Dodgeball Tournament, organized by the Directorate of Sports and Youth Services in association with District Sports Council and District Sports Officer Office, witnessed a vibrant inaugural program. District Sports Officer Jagannath Lakde inaugurated the competition, and General Secretary of the State Dodgeball Association, Dr. Hanumant Lunge, expressed appreciation.
While increased funding is commendable, skeptics argue that the focus on monetary incentives may overshadow the need for comprehensive grassroots sports development. Utilisation of the fund for the designated purpose is of question because misuse of funds is a very common practice nationwide.
