New Sports Policy to be Drafted for Qualitative Development of Sports Culture – Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar

Mumbai, Sept 2025 : A new sports policy should be prepared after an in-depth study of various aspects of sports to ensure the qualitative development of the sports culture in the state and to give new direction to the sports sector, instructed Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

A meeting on various issues concerning the Sports Department was held under the chairmanship of Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar in the committee room of Mantralaya. During the meeting, presentations were made on the proposed District Sports Complex at Katphal, Baramati Taluka. Pawar issued necessary directions to ensure that modern and appropriate sports facilities are developed.

He instructed that all sports complexes across the state should be upgraded. Players should be provided with all types of facilities, equipment, and international-level training. Furthermore, divisional, district, and taluka-level sports complex committees should be restructured, Pawar directed.

The meeting also reviewed sports facilities available in different countries and various states of India. Discussions were held on how to effectively utilize Public-Private Partnership (PPP) models and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds in the sports sector.

The meeting was attended by Sports Minister Adv. Manikrao Kokate, Additional Chief Secretary (Sports) Anil Diggikar, Principal Secretary (Planning) Saurabh Vijay, Secretary (Public Works – Construction) Abasaheb Nagargoje, Secretary (Financial Reforms, Finance Department) Mrs. Shaila A., and Secretary to the Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh from Mantralaya. Additionally, through video conferencing, Divisional Commissioner of Pune Dr. Chandrakant Pulkundwar, Sports Commissioner Sheetal Teli-Ugale, and District Collector Jitendra Dudi were also present.