Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore
The new Sports Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore is well aware with the hardships surrounding Indian athletes. The former shooter still carries the heart of a sportsperson and assures the athletes during his tenure will get the “respect and facilities” they deserve.
Rathore, the 2004 Olympic Games silver medallist, took charge of Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on Monday following the cabinet reshuffle. “My journey of coming to this ministry began at the reception downstairs. I still remember how you have to take permission on paper to enter, it all started then. So I know as a player what hardships you have to face,” Rathore said.
“But I also believe that there are a lot of efficient officials in this ministry because of whom, I and many others got help. So the aim is to have more such officials and create an environment in which sportspersons come first and the first citizen of this country is a sportsperson.”
The 47-year-old stressed on the need for an attitudinal change. “The environment and attitude in this ministry needs to change. There is only one VIP and that is sportsperson and nobody else. This attitudinal shift is required,” said the former army man.
“The philosophy of this ministry would be samman and suvidha (respect and facilities), that explains everything. Running any institution requires a mix of experience, in terms of sport, and management. I would look for people who are good managers and have heart of a sportsman.
“This ministry has to work 24X7 for the sportsman because when he is preparing every single day of the week, month and year so we have to see how best we can provide that service. This is a service ministry and we provide service to the sportsman.”
Rathore, whose appointment has been hailed by country’s leading sportspersons, was not awed by the expectations. “Expectations are there from the day I faced the first challenge as a sportsperson but an athlete does not fear defeat. I will make each of that beginning which players and Indian sport requires. I won’t step back whether I win or lose and need support of all to make a change,” he emphatically stated.