Rio post-mortem: Sports Minister Vijay Goel holds 2016 Olympics review meeting with NSFs

New Delhi: Sports Minister Vijay Goel on Thursday held a meeting with National Sports Federations to discuss India's performance at the Rio Olympics and to chalk out a roadmap for the future.

Addressing the meeting, the minister called for learning the right lessons from Rio with a view to improving performance in future Olympic Games.

Union MoS (I/C) for Youth Affairs & Sports, Shri @VijayGoelBJP discusses Post-Rio Roadmap with Sports Federations. pic.twitter.com/IV1sbgvQjU — Dept of Sports MYAS (@IndiaSports) September 29, 2016

He said that all the stakeholders, including the government and NSFs will have to work together to achieve the desired level of excellence in sports, a release said. (Rio Shame! This 2016 Olympics revelation from SAI will SHOCK you)

He said that norms of good governance and transparency will have to be followed by sports bodies to inspire confidence among the people.

Sportspersons have to be given a key role in decision-making within the NSFs, the minister said. (ALSO READ: PV Sindhu, Sakshi Malik received only 1.66% of government's funds for Rio-bound athletes)

Goel asked the NSFs to work for the twin objectives of 'Sports for All' and 'Excellence in Sports'. He expressed the resolve of the government to work for the promotion and growth of sports in the country.

In this context, he referred to the deep interest shown by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in promotion of sports. (ALSO READ: PM Narendra Modi meets Rio Paralympics stars, extols champions for making nation proud)

He said that the NSFs should use this opportunity, prepare an effective roadmap for the future and leave minor internal differences behind.

Participating in the discussions, the representatives of the NSFs emphasised the need for increased funding for sports, including corporate funding, monitoring of the performance of coaches and sportspersons, creation of infrastructure, jobs for sportspersons.

Goel said he favoured self-regulation by NSFs for betterment of sports. (ALSO READ: Rio Paralympic medallists to be recommended for Padma awards)

Among those who attended the meeting were the President and Secretary General of Indian Olympic Association and senior officials of Department of Sports and Sports Authority of India.