Mumbai:
There is an urgent need for public-private-partnership model to improve the standard of sporting infrastructure in the country, which is necessary to produce world-class athletes, say experts.
"With a population of one billion, we have our Usain Bolts to be discovered. If our strategy is well planned it would take at least 10 years to win Olympic medals," said Arjuna awardee and former national sprint champion Adille Sumariwalla.
"A sports culture needs to be inculcated. Professionals should be paid in line with the MNCs. At present corporates, except for one or two, have disappointed by neglecting Olympic sports," he said addressing a gathering during the curtain raiser of the India International Sports Summit 2010.
"The summit I believe would bring the stakeholders together," he said.
Beijing Olympics bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh said India can hope to win as many as 20 gold medals by 2020 only by developing the infrastructure.
"We have to develop into a sports nation first. This (the summit) is a beginning and the best way. Many firms should come and promote sports," the pugilist said.
Olympics gold medallist Tessa Sanderson of Britain said, "It is important to have sports facility in the country. Working with the athletes and federation I know you people can achieve it. I think you will be a great nation of sports."
"With a population of one billion, we have our Usain Bolts to be discovered. If our strategy is well planned it would take at least 10 years to win Olympic medals," said Arjuna awardee and former national sprint champion Adille Sumariwalla.
"A sports culture needs to be inculcated. Professionals should be paid in line with the MNCs. At present corporates, except for one or two, have disappointed by neglecting Olympic sports," he said addressing a gathering during the curtain raiser of the India International Sports Summit 2010.
"The summit I believe would bring the stakeholders together," he said.
Beijing Olympics bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh said India can hope to win as many as 20 gold medals by 2020 only by developing the infrastructure.
"We have to develop into a sports nation first. This (the summit) is a beginning and the best way. Many firms should come and promote sports," the pugilist said.
Olympics gold medallist Tessa Sanderson of Britain said, "It is important to have sports facility in the country. Working with the athletes and federation I know you people can achieve it. I think you will be a great nation of sports."
