For addressing the issue of deficit of sports infrastructure in the country, the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports Affairs had moved a proposal for inclusion of Sports in the harmonized master list of infrastructure sub-sectors 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 Ministry of Finance after a series of meetings and discussions with different agencies including RBI have decided that sports infrastructure will be included under the Harmonized Master List of Infrastructure Subsectors and that 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 09th 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.
