Another step towards securing India's future in sports, Vijay Goel announces 'Talent Hunt' portal

New Delhi: India' struggle at the Rio Olympics was widely criticized not just by media all across the globe but also by people of the country who didn't expect the atheltes to return with just two medals.

While PM Narenda Modi earlier announced plan to setup a panel for India' preparation for the next three Olympic games, Sports Minister Vijay Goel announced the creation of India's first Sports Talent Hunt Portal in the presence of panel consisting of some renowned sports personalities and media.

The Sports Ministry has decided to start a Talent Search Portal to give a "fair opportunity" to children from all over the country to pursue sports.

"The portal is intended to give a fair opportunity to talented children from every nook and corner of the country to pursue their dreams of achieving excellence in sports," the Ministry said in a statement.

According to the initial reports, the portal will have the following features:

1. Aspiring sportsmen can upload their photos/videos and documents into a web based platform.

2. The files could be uploaded on the portal by children, their parents, relatives, teachers and other authorized people in the prescribed format.

3. After due scrutiny, children with potential will be given an opportunity to appear for a battery of tests which could be conducted at the nearest SAI Centre among others.

4. Those who pass the battery of tests will be admitted to the training centres of SAI.

5. Children will also be offered scholarship to pursue excellence in sports.

6. The platform will be monitored by wisely chosen sports personnel to judge the talent of children.

Announced the creation of #India's 1st #Sports Talent Hunt Portal in presence of eminent sports-persons & media.
1/n pic.twitter.com/iGePnU6pwi — Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) September 15, 2016

#Youth & sports persons are our assets and to provide them a head-start the Sports Talent Hunt Portal shall act as a democratic platform
2/n — Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) September 15, 2016

The platform shall enable them to get identified for further grooming by the renowned national & int'l sports trainers under the MoYAS.
3/n — Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) September 15, 2016

The portal will be an integrated website with online file sharing & social networking features, where any young sports-person can...
4/n — Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) September 15, 2016

register their videos/photos and other documents to provide evidence of their sporting talents. More info/updates to be shared soon.
5/5 — Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) September 15, 2016

The portal will allow talented children to stake their claim for support including admission to sports training centres from the comforts of their homes and will simplify procedures. It will be particularly beneficial to the disadvantaged sections of the society.

The plan is to target talented children of 8 years and above. Efforts will be made to involve National Sports Federations, corporate houses and other stake-holders in the programme. The portal is likely to be launched within a month.