Mumbai, June 4: In a significant move to promote women athletes, Maharashtra’s Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar chaired a meeting at the Sahyadri Guest House on Wednesday. During the meeting, she issued directives to ensure that every sports facility in the state is equipped with essential amenities such as toilets, changing rooms, lighting, and CCTV surveillance.
Pawar emphasized that women athletes from Maharashtra are excelling at both national and international levels. To foster a safe, respectful, and encouraging environment, a state-level integrated policy for the development of sports facilities is crucial. She insisted that each sports ground must have ideal toilets, adequate lighting, separate changing rooms, and a CCTV system for security.
The meeting was attended by various officials, including Urban Development Minister Madhuri Misal, legislators Milind Narvekar and Chitra Wagh, Additional Chief Secretary of the General Administration Department V. Radha, Principal Secretary of the Sports Department Ranjit Singh Deol, Deputy Chief Minister’s Secretary Dr. Rajesh Deshmukh, Konkan Division Commissioner Rubal Agarwal (via video conferencing), Commissioner of the Sports and Youth Services Department Deepak Singla, and Additional Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Avinash Dhakne, among others.
The government is implementing various schemes to encourage women athletes, ensuring they have a safe and supportive environment. Pawar noted that robust infrastructure, quality training systems, financial support, nutrition, coaching guidance, a secure atmosphere, and social acceptance are vital for promoting sports.
The Maharashtra government has decided to undertake comprehensive reforms in the sports sector, adopting a ‘player-centric’ approach through a new sports policy. Initiatives are being launched to provide rural athletes with opportunities at the international level. By ensuring essential facilities are available for women athletes, their participation and performance can significantly improve.
Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar also directed all relevant departments to work collaboratively to provide necessary facilities for women athletes across all sports grounds in the state. A detailed action plan should be developed and effectively implemented.
The meeting included an in-depth discussion on the current status of basic facilities available for women athletes in the state’s sports grounds, necessary improvements, and future plans.
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