5 Indian sports issues that new Sports Minister Jitendra Singh urgently needs to address

The victor in Assam elections last week means that Sarbananda Sonawal will now have a new role as the Chief Minister of the North-Eastern State and will have to leave his post as the Union Sports Minister.

In his position, the Government appointed Jitendra Singh and he will certainly have a lot of things to keep an eye on.

Here are 5 key issues that he will need to address:

1.Revamp of the boxing federation

It has been a sad week for Indian boxing in the ring, with the last Rio 2016 qualifying event turning out to be a big disappointment because of the failure of MC Mary Kom to book a spot in her second Olympic Games.

Her defeat in the second round in the last qualifying event in Asthana was the last nail in the coffin for Indian boxing, that has seen some very difficult times in the last 12-18 months.

The Indian Boxing Federation or Boxing India was suspended last year and has remained in such a state ever since. Over the course of time, their lack of functioning has had an impact on the pugilists on the ring.

It is an issue about which Vijender Singh spoke albeit indirectly at the onset of turning pro last October and the revamping of the federation should certainly be one of the top agenda for the new sports minister.

2.Curbing the doping menace

This is another issue that should assume equal, if not more, significance, along with the boxing issue. The doping scene in India has been a matter of concern for several years, particularly the one involving some of the promising weightlifters.

After enduring a dope-free 12 months in 2014, the menace it seemed made a comeback in 2015 when several weightlifters found themselves in trouble and as many as 26 of them were provisionally suspended by the international body.

It is an issue that sport in India has faced for many years and stringent measures on the part of the government are very much required to ensure the name isn’t tarnished further.

3.Promotion of indigenous sports

While by and large the coverage given to Indian sport has improved a great deal in the last few years, there are a few that are still looking to attract the attention of the people. 2015 proved to be a great year in terms of achievements in some of the lesser known sports.

The Indian Sepak Takraw team, for instance, won the bronze medal at the International de France de Sepak Takraw Championship last year.The Indian Women’s Ultimate team are on their way to represent the country at the World Championships in London later this year and there are many more of such examples where athletes are excelling but are not getting the needed facilities.

It is certainly a matter that should be taken seriously by the incoming sports minister and hopefully, we can see a further change in the days to come.

4.Implementation of programmes at the grassroots levels

Often a level that isn’t given enough importance, if not ignored completely, the grassroots form a key component to the progress of any sport in any part of the world.It is an area where several sports in India still require attention.

Maybe the sports ministry can take a cue out of the AIFF, who introduced a talent hunt in 2014 in association with Coca-Cola that looked at identifying new talent and such programmes, with a tie up with a well known firm will certainly help other sports also develop stars for the future.

5.More attention to the TOPS scheme

The Target Olympic Podium Scheme(TOPS) instituted by the government aimed at providing funds for sportspersons in their preparations for the next two Olympics. However, there was controversy surrounding the initiative with shuttler Jwala Gutta expressing disappointment over their non-selection in the list.

The scheme has not seen as much attraction as one would have hoped it would have and it is hoped that as and when the new minister does assume the role, he helps in providing financial assistance for more sportspersons.