Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 14: Kuldeep Kumar Gupta, Secretary of the Vansh Sabre Sports Federation, has urged P.T. Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, to advocate for the reinstatement of railway concessions for Indian sportspersons. The concessions, previously offering up to 75% off on 2nd Class and 50% off on 1st Class fares, were discontinued on March 20, 2020.
Gupta highlighted the significant impact of this decision, emphasizing that the lack of financial support forces athletes to bear the full cost of travel for national and State-level tournaments, which could negatively affect their performance and participation. The concessions had been vital for athletes travelling across the country, supporting their ability to compete effectively.
This appeal comes in the context of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious goal of hosting the Olympics in 2036 and his broader efforts to promote sports at all levels through initiatives like the Khelo India Games. Gupta urged both the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the Ministry of Indian Railways to reinstate the concessions, underscoring their importance in ensuring fair opportunities for Indian sportspersons.
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