• Dear honorable Prime Minister, Narendra Modiji
  If winning a single gold at the Olympics can be such an exhilarating and joyful moment for the entire nation,it gives me goosebumps to think what it would mean if the country secured a position in the top 3 of the medals tally at Brisbane Olympics in the year 2032. Sounds like mission impossible? No sir, it is very much possible.Please bear with me to read my plan of how we can go about achieving this.But for now the fact remains that the results of my country’s performance compared with the size of its population at the Tokyo Olympics (with due respect to all participants and winners alike) saddens me very much. We can only take consolation from the fact that we have fared better than the previous Olympics and have a gold to our credit after a very long time.Therefore, this petition. As I understand, the biggest hurdle to Olympic glory has always been a lack of sports facilities and infrastructure in our schools followed by the way sports is viewed- with scepticism- both by parents and schools, leading to a complete lack of sports culture in our country. There are many more problems like poverty, corruption, influence in the selection process, etc. to name a few, besides a lack of uniformity in sports policies at the national level -sports being a state subject-to haunt the sports scene in India. The best solution, in my opinion, would be to solve the primary issue i.e. a lack of sports facilities and infrastructure in schools, and the other problems would automatically get solved by themselves. And how do we go about achieving this on such a large scale? The only way I see is to establish a partnership between Indian industry and Indian schools wherein schools will contribute their playgrounds and indoor spaces as their share of investment and the industry will develop these grounds and indoor spaces with sports facilities and infrastructure of international standards using CSR funds, as their share of investment, so that every child rich or poor, rural or urban gets an opportunity to play and showcase their talent to reap profits for the nation in gold and silver at the Olympics. With this every educational institution including government schools will become part-time sports academies and who better than you sir with your charisma and your ability to turn situations around to give a clarion call to all concerned to start an Abhiyan in the lines of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan and name this one as the Swarn Bharat Abhiyan. An Abhiyan that will give India its glory at the Olympics by at least the year 2032 at Brisbane.
  When sports facilities are made available in schools around India at the primary level itself, I am positive that there will be an abundance of talent. (and children playing football with plastic bottles and cricket with sticks in alleys will be a thing of the past)This abundant talent must be nurtured to produce a result. Availability of, state of the art sports facilities in schools will solve the issue of lack of sports culture, and parents will be more than willing to send their children for sports. Children must also be allowed to enroll themselves in schools closer to their homes for sports irrespective of the schools they study to overcome the problems of time and transport constraints.
  Besides sports, sir, I would also like to draw your attention to the problem of more and more children getting addicted to mobiles, especially now because of Covid. From what I read; of a survey done in 2016, 63% of students use smartphones for 4 to 7 hrs on an everyday basis. Now with online classes due to Covid, I wouldn't be surprised if that has gone up to 10 to 12hrs. Behavioral problems like lack of sleep, anxiety, depression, nomo (no mobile) phobia have become common. If not checked now, this can prove a serious health hazard for India’s children. Sports could be the only alternative as sports are fun, entertaining, helps reduce stress, increases team spirit, and very importantly helps build peace between communities. It could also be the catalyst for an increase in attendance in schools, thereby increasing the literacy rate in India.
  But the question in everyone’s mind sir, when they read this would be - is this the right time to start this Abhiyan when the country is ravaged by the coronavirus and the floods? I positively believe it to be so as it would not only help kickstart the economy but also boost the morale of the people which is certainly on the downward trend. Moreover, as schools are still shut, but other economic activities have opened, it would be the right time to undertake groundwork and laying of infrastructure without having to disturb the children otherwise studying in their classrooms.
  I also take this opportunity to appeal to the Indian Industry to increase their CSR spending on sports, which otherwise stands at a meagre> 2%. I appeal to the industry to increase it substantially and not leave funds as 'unspent amounts'. I also, appeal to them to make their investments directly without mediation from section 8 companies or public trusts to avoid unnecessary delays and wasteful expenditure.
  I take this opportunity to appeal to institution heads and managements to take that extra step in organizing better facilities for the children and encourage children staying close to their schools to join their sports academies for better performances.
  I also take this opportunity to appeal to the union finance minister and also state finance ministers to allocate more funds for sports and enable opportunities for corporates to build stadia’s on the BOOT and the PPP model thus encouraging more private participation in sports, as increased sports activity makes great economic sense.
  I also appeal to union and state sports ministers to develop more national and international sports universities to give more credibility to sports and also to construct mini stadiums both indoor and outdoor utilizing the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF)in all districts of the country to hold competitions between schools in the line of reality shows, and also establish leagues of the IPL kind in all areas of sports. It has also become imperative to encourage more sports analytics as it is essential in every aspect of player, team, and organization management.
  I also appeal to the HRD minister to introduce sports in the school curriculum.
  Likewise, I appeal to the health ministers to do whatever it takes in their power to encourage sports as it means better health for our nation and makes the nation resilient to diseases resulting in lesser spending on health and more savings to the government.
  I also appeal to city corporations, town panchayats, and village panchayats to come forward and make use of vacant spaces at their disposal whether indoor or outdoor and utilize them for sports, making it a win-win situation for all concerned.
  I also appeal to sports federations and Olympic associations to do everything in their power to realize this dream of the nation.
  I also appeal to former sports personalities to guide this dream to its logical conclusion with their experience and advice. I also appeal to coaches to coach school PT masters and hold extensive training camps during holidays for children.
  Last but not least I appeal to every citizen of this great nation of ours to support this noble mission. Every one of you can do your mite. Donate whatever sports goods that are lying unused in your houses to the nearest schools willing to accept your donation. Who knows a champion may be in the making, waiting in the wings, for just that donation of yours.
  As for children, the heroes of India; I speak on their behalf-we will deliver the goods. A treasure trove as we all shout with one voice GO GOLD INDIAAA...
  Yes together we can and together we will
• With regards,
• Yours faithfully
  ALISHA RIA D SOUZA
• 1st PUC
• St Anne's College
• Virajpet,Kodagu
• Karnataka State

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