"India is good at individual sports. Keeping that in mind, we plan to tap local talent at a young age. For that, we will launch a 'National Sports Talent Search Scheme' under which will identify 75,000 talented boys and girls in the age group of 8 to 12 years," said Sonowal here after inaugurating the three-day long India International Sporting Goods Show.
Sonowal said each district will have a sports school in next five to seven years.
"We have decided to set up a university in each zone to focus on sports science and sports medicine. The sports goods industry in India has witnessed phenomenal growth over the past five decades and now occupies a place of prominence in the Indian economy in terms of its massive potential for employment generation and export," added Sonowal.
Image: Sarbananda Sonowal
Government writes to AIBA, seeks reversal on Sarita's ban
AIBA slaps one-year ban on Sarita Devi for medal fiasco at Asian Games
Sports Ministry invites online suggestions from public
Sarita Devi finally receives her Asian Games bronze medal
Sports Minister writes to AIBA, asks to revoke Sarita Devi's suspension