P-SAT to be conducted twice a year, Saturday online training for athletes: Arya

PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun

The Sports minister Rekha Arya announced on Wednesday that sports talents would be monitored more strictly than earlier. “Players will undergo the Physical Standard Aptitude Test (P-SAT) twice a year under the Mukhyamantri Udiyaman Khiladi Unnayan Yojana (MUKUY). Additionally, two hours of virtual training will be conducted every Saturday through the Khelok’ portal,” she said, adding that these steps would not just help assess the players’ potential better but also ensure continuous improvement in their performance.

She emphasised that the State government is committed to making the MUKUY more effective and modern. “Some amendments have been proposed to improve the scheme’s rules and selection process, which are currently under government consideration. Until a final decision is made on these proposed amendments, the selection process and all other procedures will continue as previously scheduled,” she added.

“The department’s primary focus is to monitor the actual progress of the sportspersons. To this end, both male and female athletes in the State will now be required to record their P-SAT scores twice a year, allowing for a scientific assessment of their physical fitness and athletic ability,” she said.

Arya also said that to create a better sports environment at the grassroots level, district sports officers in all districts have been instructed to actively coordinate with various sports coaches and physical education teachers. “This collaboration will provide better training opportunities for aspiring sportspersons and invigorate sports activities,” she added.

Further, digital media is being utilised to connect sports-inclined youths with modern sports techniques and training methods. Under this initiative, two-hour virtual training sessions will be held every Saturday via video conferencing on the ‘Khelok’ portal. “This arrangement will provide the youths with expert guidance without any additional financial burden,” she said.

She reiterated that orders have been issued to all district sports officers in the State to ensure immediate and strict compliance with these guidelines, so that no talented player is deprived of the opportunity to advance.