Friday, January 21, 2011

Ajay Maken assumes charge as Sports Minister

New Delhi, January 20, 2011: Ajay Maken assumed charge as Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports here on Thursday.

He was welcomed by the senior officers of the ministry. Immediately after assuming charge, Maken had a detailed meeting with the sports secretary and discussed various issues concerning the department.

Speaking out his priorities while briefing the media, Maken said that his efforts would be to study, in detail, all important issues concerning the ministry in the coming days.

Giving the details of his meeting with sports secretary, he said that he had emphasized the need for drafting a proper strategy for 2012 London Olympics with an objective for increasing medal tally with proper back-up of training exposure with active support of the Government.

On the issue concerning National Sports Federations and their management, Maken said that his efforts would be to carry forward the initiatives of his predecessor, Dr. MS Gill, for enhancing transparency and good governance by adopting non-confrontational approach.

In the interest of sports, he said ideally sportsperson who have played the game at certain level and young persons should be given charge for managing of sports since he trusts that they will have “passion” to improve the sport.

He also disclosed that appropriate directions have been given for drafting a policy at the earliest for better utilization of sports infrastructure created for Commonwealth Games.

On the issue concerning pending payments for work done in Commonwealth Games, Maken asked sports secretary to issue directions to the Government officers working in the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games to clear within 10 days all the legitimate payments, after through verification.

Concerning Department of Youth Affairs, Maken stressed the need for an “out-of-box” thinking for introducing new schemes and programmes with an objective to increase the participation of youth.

Born on 12 January, 1964, Maken was earlier Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs. He was Minister of Urban Development in the UPA-I Government. He was also Cabinet Minister of Transport, Power and Tourism.

Source: PIB, Government of India

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