NEW DELHI: Alarmed by India's performance in the recent Rio Olympics, the Government appears to have pressed the panic button: which may help sports persons on the long run.

After appointing two committees - one for pointing out why India failed, and the other to prepare for the next two Olympics, the Government included Sports in the harmonized master list of infrastructure sub-sectors.

The proposal was mooted by the Sports Ministry so that the sports sector becomes eligible for obtaining long term financial support from banks and other financial institutions on the same principle as is available to other infrastructure projects.

The Finance Ministry after a series of meetings and discussions with different agencies including Reserve Bank of India has decided that sports infrastructure will be included under the Harmonized Master List of Infrastructure Sub sectors and it “includes the provision of Sports Stadia and Infrastructure for Academies for Training / Research in Sports and Sports-related activities”

In this connection Ministry of Finance, Department of Economic Affairs, had issued a Gazette Notification dated 9 September 2016.

This inclusion would encourage private investment in a public good which has socio-economic externalities in a country with young population. It will also bolster investment in sports infrastructure sector which will contribute to the economy and help in promotion of health and fitness of the people of this country as also provide opportunities for employment in the new and exciting sectors. It goes without saying that investment of the private sector will widen the platform from where the country can become a sporting power in future.