Ranchi: The Jharkhand government has launched a scheme that aims to weaken the ranks and files of left wing extremism (LWE) through the promotion of various sports disciplines in country rural areas.
On the occasion of the state day on Monday, the Chairman of the Minister of Hemant Soren inaugurated Sahay (sports actions to take advantage of the aspirations of young people).
Designed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sports, Arts, Culture and Youth Affairs, Sahay aims to prevent children from joining LWE clothing by promising their financial appreciation and offering them the horizon of sports opportunities and government work if they are superior.
The scheme, which will result in a cost of Rs 10 Crore in the ongoing financial year, aims to hold a Panchayat tournament and block-level in football, hockey, volleyball and athletics.
Panchayat and the block-level team will lock the horns in the local tournament which will then peak into the state-level championship.
The winner at both team events and individual disciplines will then be absorbed into the residential facilities and training managed by the government and will be prepared for state and national level competitions.
In the initial phase, this scheme will be carried out in Singhbhum Barat, Seramala-Kharsawan, Khunti, Simdega, and Gumla Regency.
In addition to being a Lwe fortress, the rural landscape of Western Singhbhum and the Seramala-Kharsawan is the hotspot of archery while Gumla, Simdega and Khunti are hockey stands.
“The Sahay scheme is one of the types.
On the one hand, it will function as a perfect platform to see and utilize young sports talents in the interior while on the other hand, it will offer a youth the prospect of a better life and prevents them from taking weapons,” Optimistic state sports Director Zeeshan Qamar told TI on Tuesday.
The scheme will include boys and women aged between 14 and 18 years.
“We will tie a former honorable player like Manohar Topno (Olympian), Asunta Lakra and Sumrai Tete (former captain of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team) and the coach of the government-managed coaching center to see sports talents and utilize their potential,” he said.
Qamar added that the tournament will be launched at the level of the block and Panchayat immediately.
It can be noted that although security forces have caused severe damage to LWE clothing in recent years, they have been able to actively recruit young people from their regions by channeling poverty, illiterate, and unemployment that disturbs rural areas.
The Government of Raghubar Das, who used to also aim to utilize sports talents in the interior by building “Kamal Clubs” in Pancrayat and blocks.