Maken asks for payment of CWG dues within ten days

NEW DELHI - Ajay Maken, who assumed charge as Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports here on Thursday told the sports secretary to issue directions to the government officers working in the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee to clear within ten days all the legitimate payments after thorough verification.

Maken, who was welcomed by the senior officers of the ministry after assuming charge 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 after assumption of the charge, Maken said that he has 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 government support.

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. M.S. Gill, for enhancing transparency and good governance by adopting non-confrontational approach.

In the interest of Sports, the former Minister of State in the Ministry of Home Affairs said that 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.

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. (ANI)