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Youth
Welfare and Sports Development Department
CHAPTER - I
INTRODUCTION 1.1 Youth Welfare and Sports Development are essential components of human resources development that help to promote good health, comradeship and a spirit of friendly competition that have positive impact on the total development of the personality of the youth. It is the aim of the Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department to develop qualities of citizenship and dedication to community service among all sections of the youth. It lays stress on sustaining and reinforcing the spirit of volunteerism amongst the youth in order to build up individual character and generate a sense of commitment to the goals of developmental programme. Sports and games, the activities of the National Cadet Corps and the National Service Scheme endeavour to provide the basic qualities for youth to blossom into responsible citizens. Excellence in sports and social activities enhances the sense of achievement, national pride and patriotism. Sports and youth organizations also foster social harmony and discipline. Youth welfare and sports activities in which the State has great potential strength and competitive advantage are sought to be promoted vigorously. Attention will continue to be focussed and efforts taken for tapping talent in rural and urban areas creating opportunities for development of talent and pursuit of excellence. The Financial outlay in respect of Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department for the year 2005-2006 Allocation to Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department in 2005-2006 in Demand No.47 is Rs.33.97 crores, out of which Rs.11.39 crores are for Plan Schemes. CHAPTER – II 2.1 SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF TAMIL NADU The Government of Tamil Nadu, in order to channellise the enthusiasm of the young people in sports activities, had constituted the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu vide G.O.Ms.No.641, Education (Y1) Department, dated:18.7.92 by merging the erstwhile Department of Sports and Youth Services and Tamil Nadu State Sports Development Corporation. This is similar to the pattern of the Sports Authority of India. The Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu is the President of this Authority. The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu, is the apex body, and implements all the policy decisions on sports and youth welfare activities of Government of Tamil Nadu in the State of Tamil Nadu. 2.2 Aims and Objectives:- The main aims of the Youth Welfare and Sports Development Department are as follows :- 1. To establish infrastructure facilities in District Headquarters, schools and colleges for the development of sports and games. 2. To identify talented sportspersons, to train them and to render suitable financial assistance so as to enable them to participate successfully in National and International competitions. 3. To give various incentives and awards to eminent sportspersons so as to motivate them to higher levels of achievement. 4. To promote among the student as well as non-student youth a spirit of adventure and love for physical activity. 5. To promote scientific temper, communal harmony and a spirit of service to the community among the student as well as non-student youth. 6. To implement the various schemes of the Government of India and of the State Government aimed at the promotion of Sports and Youth Welfare. 7. To conduct various sports competitions, youth festivals and exhibitions. 2.3. Over the years, Tamil Nadu has been in the forefront in sports and games at the national and international levels both in individual and team events. This is largely due to the excellent infrastructure, coaching facilities, tournaments and incentives provided to sportspersons by the Government of Tamil Nadu. 2.4 NEW STRATEGY FOR SPORTS IN TAMIL NADU TO ACHIEVE EXCELLENCE Both developing and developed countries in the world that have shown success in the international sports arena have clearly followed a long-term strategy. Most have adopted the pyramidal model with a broadbase gradually tapering to the top. Considering that Tamil Nadu has a population which is several times more than most countries that have participated in the Olympics, a long term strategy yielding results and bringing glory to the State and Country is relevant. Tamil Nadu with a clearly defined long-term strategy can prove to be an example to other States. The long term strategy proposed for Tamil Nadu in this Policy document is to adopt a pyramidal hierarchy of sports activity that would have five different levels. The lowest skill level would be termed as Level-1 and the pyramid tapers to the peak, to Level-5. To illustrate this further, a diagram relevant to the pyramidal strategy is drawn below:
Several factors are crucial to success in competitive sports. Much depends on- (a) a hierarchy of competitions (b) a hierarchy of talent identification and development (c) the required sports infrastructure that caters to each level (d) a hierarchy of coaching standards and requirements (e) specialists with relevant expertise to each level (f) sponsors looking at different levels of competitions and talent Each one of these would need to be linked to each level as identified in the diagram above. Each level is described in greater detail in order to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the model being proposed as the new strategy. Level-1: 2.5 Mass and community participation – Broad basing physical fitness will be the focus of this level. This will include talent identification efforts with a special orientation towards identification of young blood having the requisite motor qualities. Minimum skill development to work on the available motor qualities such as to learn the game/discipline correctly would also find place. Sports infrastructure that would be sufficient to develop such basic skills and train will fall into this category. Competitions that encourage mass participation, community involvement and of a localized nature would fall in this stratum. The coaching requirements would be basic and such that a Physical Education Teacher or a Level-1 Coach would be able to impart. Sponsors who back local sports program will be identified and encouraged in this category. Popularising of sports medicine among medical practitioners and physiotherapists to deal with basic sports injuries would be made relevant. Level-1 would be the foundation and form the base of the pyramid. Level-2 2.6 District Level Programme - The aim will be to harness sports talent that is the best in the district. Coaching programme at the District Sports Complexes will form an important factor together with utilizing the services of NIS qualified Coaches and others to develop recognized talent in different parts of the district. A higher level of skill development than what is required in Level-1 will be the objective at this level. The sports infrastructure that would qualify as Level-2 would be such that competitions and tournaments can be held. Sponsors who are keen to promote district level events will be identified and encouraged. All District Sports Officers will be constantly involved in identifying sports that are relevant and popular to the district and seek to promote them as part of a sports mapping exercise. Also, they will work towards developing a structured programme for such sports popular to the district concerned. Level-3 2.7 State Level Excellence – Moving up the pyramidal hierarchy, this level will comprise an orientation designed to State level excellence. Sports infrastructure across the state that would qualify for State level events and competitions would be identified as part of the networking effort and given due publicity. Boys and girls who have the potential to develop into State level champions will be the subject of attention for talent development. Specialized Academies, Sports Schools and Sports Hostels and other talent development programme would be encouraged and promoted throughout the State. Considering that the coaching levels would need to be upgraded, coaches with the required capabilities to promote state level talent would be harnessed irrespective of the sector to which they belong. Sports specialists ranging from sports medicine experts, nutritionists, psychologists, bio-mechanic experts, physiotherapists and others would be identified. Sponsors who are particular about State level events will be networked and encouraged. To add to this, employers who encourage sportsmen and women with State level capabilities will be identified so as to improve career assistance to champion sportspersons. Level-4 2.8 National Level Performances -The orientation at this level would sharply focus on national level performances. Organised efforts to train and develop national level champions would be encouraged. Coaches will have their skills upgraded on a constant basis to enable appropriate training for those who break into the National Scheme. Sports infrastructure that would be suitable for national level events will be surveyed and promoted. The State will encourage national events being held in Tamil Nadu in order to provide motivation and challenge to sports-loving persons and sportspersons. At this level, there is a dire need for experts who are required to hone the skills of sportspersons in specialized areas of sports injuries, medicine, psychology and so on. To the extent possible, the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu will also utilize the services of experts from abroad to develop the local coaching potential so as to benefit in the long term. All existing schemes that are clearly identified as belonging to Level-4 will restrict its selection criteria to only those who are capable of national level performances. The purpose is to ensure targeted result-oriented expenditure. Further, it will also enable frequent evaluation and mid-course corrections wherever required. Sponsors who are interested in national events will be identified and encouraged. Event Management Companies, publicity experts and others in the business of promoting sports will be informed of the possibilities of national level events. Level-5 2.9. International achievements - This level is at the apex of the pyramid and is entirely dependent on the levels below being properly organized and strengthened. International achievements will become the order of the day as a natural outflow of the effectiveness of other four levels below. However, special efforts are required at this level as the demands and requirements are much more than at the earlier levels. Sports infrastructure would require to be of the strict required standards with several conditions being placed by the International Federations for the conduct of tournaments. International competitions will be encouraged to be held in Tamil Nadu. Sponsors who are interested in international events will also be networked. Talent development at this stage requires for advanced coaching and exposure in events abroad. Specialised institutes in the world who have sufficient research components relevant to training will be accessed. 2.10 If sports persons from Tamil Nadu are to perform well in international events such as Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, there is a dire need for international exposure both for coaches and sportspersons who have the potential to be groomed as world champions. To this end, financial assistance for competitions abroad in select Olympic disciplines, assistance for coaches to train in institutions abroad and so on will be the focus of attention of Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. Professionalism is a key requirement at this part of the pyramid and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu will strive towards an approach that would look at professionalism. 2.11 In brief, the strategy that has been outlined in which the entire effort for physical fitness and sports is to be modeled is to be relevant to all societal sectors and differential talents. Needless to say, the apex part of the pyramid will not be possible without a proper and adequate base. Therefore, the foundation is of utmost importance. The strength of the lower level will determine the strength of the level above. The more organized and coordinated effort at the lower levels will greatly enhance the levels above. The pyramid model with a strong foundation and an oriented apex will determine and direct all the policies and schemes of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu. Olympic medals will become the order of the day only when the strategy is clearly drawn and targeted. This hierarchical orientation seeks to be the overall direction of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu whether it be in infrastructure, competitions, talent identification, talent development, coaching or specialists required to make Tamil Nadu the most organized and efficient State in the country in sports. 2.12 An institution with a well-defined strategy is bound to yield results provided no one is excluded in achieving the targets set by the institution. Our targets are clear and sustainable i.e to invite everyone in the field of sports to participate in whatever manner convenient to them and for the Government to bring in the rest so as to make Tamil Nadu the No.1 State in sports excellence stretching to international achievements.
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