OREANDA-NEWS. December 26, 2012. The Minister of Railways Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal has said that Railways being in the forefront of promoting sports and games in the country, should further vigorously make efforts to attract and recruit more players especially youngsters to the organisation so that more fillip to the sports in the country could be given. The Railway Minister was addressing some of star Railway sportspersons in an Open House organised by Railway Sports Promotion Board, (RSPB) here today. He also interacted with them and acquainted himself with suggestions and feedback from them. Shri Bansal said that sportspersons bring prestige not only to the organisation but also enhance the prestige of the country. Shri Bansal said that it is necessary to promote sports culture in the country and Railways will continue to play a major role in this direction. The Minister said he is proud to know that Railways has amongst its sportspersons several Arjuna Awardees, Padmashree Awardees, Dronacharya Awardees and Khel Ratna Awardees etc,.

 Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal said that Railways sportspersons like Sushil Kumar who is the only Indian to have won two medals back to back in Olympics are source of inspiration for others. Shri Bansal emphasised the need to further improve the facilities and trainings for Railway sportspersons so that they can excel further and win more medals for the nation. He instructed the Railway Board to expedite the work on creating sports cadre to realize the aspirations of Railway sportspersons. Referring to the academies being set up by the Railways, the Railway Minister said that these will help in sharpening the skills of the players and will also attract talented players to the Railways. He said that Wrestling Academy in Delhi, Archery Academy in Kolkata and Throws Academy in Jaipur will prove very beneficial to sportspersons. Shri Pawan Kumar Bansal said that Railway Sports Promotion Board has contributed substantially in promoting sports and should work closely with the sportspersons in improving their performances. The Minister assured that the suggestions made by sportspersons on various issues like training, duty hours, career aspects etc., will be sincerely looked into and the Railway Ministry will try to remove all impediments in providing congenial atmosphere to Railway sportspersons for ensuring their maximum output.

 Speaking on the occasion, Chairman, Railway Board, Shri Vinay Mittal, said that Railways is the main fulcrum of sports activities in the country and it will continue to work hard so that it can boast of a large number of medal winners in national and international events. In his address, Member Staff, Railway Board and President, RSPB, Shri N.K.Vohra said that Indian Railways is modifying its recruitment policy with a view to attract more players. Shri Vohra informed that RSPB has also won twice Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Purskar, instituted by Government of India.

 Executive Director, Sports, Railway Board and Secretary RSPB, Ms. Jhanjha Tripathi coordinated the Open House Session with Railway sports persons. Some of the 40 Railway sportspersons who were present in today’s Open House interaction with the Railway Minister included; Sushil Kumar (Wrestling), Krishna Punia (Athletics) P.T.Usha (Athletics), Devndra Jhajrija (Athletics), Ashok Sandliya (Billiards & Snooker), Diana Edulji (Cricketer (W)), Ashish Kumar (Gymnastic), Mohd. Shahid (Hockey), E.S.Bhaskaran (Power Lifting) and Joydeep Karmakar (Shooting).