Jaipur: The draft of Rajasthan Sports Policy 2026, prepared by the Youth Affairs and Sports Department of Rajasthan, was discussed on Tuesday in detail with representatives from 23 state sports associations. Formulated by a Project Management Unit (PMU) after analyzing central and other state frameworks, the policy aims to modernize the state’s athletic ecosystem.“The PMU team prepared this draft after studying Central and other state policies,” said Rajasthan State Sports Council (RSSC) secretary Rajkesh Meena.“The meeting aimed to make the policy more practical and address the concerns of athletes.”A major highlight of the discussion was the introduction of a new digital platform designed to streamline sports administration. “The council is developing a Khel Mitra app. Data on all current and former athletes and sports associations in the state will be available online on this digital platform,” secretary stated.Meena added that this online registration system will ensure transparent access to government welfare schemes and facilities for all players.Prominent athletes and federation heads offered critical suggestions during the session to improve infrastructure and talent management. Former Olympian Gopal Saini recommended appointing 2,000 coaches statewide, suggesting that 450 NIS-qualified physical education teachers currently in the Education Department be deputed to the sports council to reach athletes in remote areas.Satyaprakash Luhach of the wrestling federation urged the govt to appoint international players directly as coaches within the sports department instead of placing them in administrative clerk roles in unrelated departments. Meanwhile, Dilip Singh Shekhawat of the football federation proposed a “one sport, one industry” corporate sponsorship model to resolve funding issues for sports associations.The discussion also focused on elite training facilities and tournament readiness. Subir Debnath of the archery association recommended upgrading the Oasis Archery Center into an official Center of Excellence and hosting mandatory refresher courses for coaches every six months.Regarding major events, Surendra Gurjar of the Rajasthan Olympic Association advised perfecting the execution of the State Games first before the govt submits a formal bid to host the National Games.The comprehensive draft was presented point-by-point by sports manager Ranvijay Singh Champawat and PMU team head Colonel Kunal Jain. The high-level meeting concluded with active contributions from decorated sports figures, including Dronacharya Awardee RD Singh and Arjuna Awardee Bajrang Lal Takhar.
