The ongoing air pollution in Delhi has become so extreme, it is being considered a health hazard for the public. Stepping out in that smog is considered dangerous, therefore hosting a sports meet in such a circumstance would be out of question.
This has resulted in the School Games to be held under Khelo India, the initiative Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced to spread sports culture to the school level, being postponed.
The Sports Ministry has pushed the dates of the School Games, to be held from December 21 to 29, by over a month to protect the students who will be participating, according to a report by DNA.
“We can’t really take any chance with the school kids due to the prevailing pollution and fog in Delhi,” a senior ministry official told DNA.
The new dates haven’t been announced yet, but if the weather conditions improve, they could be organised next year at the end of January. It is not known what the contingency plan is if the smog situation doesn’t change.
The games are to take place in five different venues across Delhi with participants from all states of India competing in 16 different disciplines. The proposed opening ceremony of the event is expected to be attended by Modi, continued the report.
The revamped Khelo India initiative targeted a fluid transition for young athletes to the big stage. Across the country, 20 universities will now be promoted as sporting centres.
The government approved Rs 1756 crore for a period of three years for the revamping of Khelo India, launched by the ministry last year by merging three schemes – Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan, Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme and National Sports Talent Search Programme.
The scheme will also back a select brand of 1,000 athletes to receive an annual scholarship of Rs 5 lakh each for period of eight years.