'Keep politicians out of sports'

Giving in to the anti-corruption wave in across the country ahead of the upcoming general elections, Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Friday advocated keeping politicians out of sports bodies to make it accessible to people.

At the launch of National Youth Policy 2014 and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan in the national capital, Rahul drew parallel between cleansing politics and sports. 

He said that to change politics there is a need to give more opportunities to young people. “Similarly, keep politicians out of sports to give more access to sportspersons,” he stated.He said this despite the fact that some of Congress leaders including Rajiv Shukla continues to be associated with sports administration.

“When you are talking about sports and how to make it accessible, then more and more powers should go the sports people when deciding things about sports in the country,” Gandhi told the gathering.

“I think that’s the crux of it. Keep the politicians out of sports if you want to put it directly.” Sports Minister Jitendra Singh along with sportsperson  Mary Kom, Vijender Singh, P Gopichand, Ashwini Nachappa, Ronjan Sodhi and Karnam Malleswari were present at the function held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.