Budget likely to boost sports big

NEW DELHI: A five-fold increase in budgetary allocation could be on the cards with Indian Olympic Association president Suresh Kalmadi on Tuesday expressing the hope that the new Sports Minister Sunil Dutt would use "all his clout" for procuring the much-needed funds.
"What we have today (budget allocation of Rs 400 crore) is a pittance. We need much greater budget – may be a five-fold increase," Kalmadi said while hailing the appointment of Dutt as a start of new era in Indian sports.
Criticising former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Kalmadi, a veteran Congress leader, said, "He (Vajpayee) had promised an eight-fold increase in budgetary allocation for sports but that never happened."
"I am sure Mr Sunil Dutt would use all his clout and we will all go to the Prime Minister asking for more funds," he said.
The IOA chief also hoped that the Finance Ministry would consider giving 100 per cent tax exemption to industries if they invested in sports.

"With 100 per cent tax exemption for industries and co-operation of the government, India will move ahead and win medals."
Kalmadi said henceforth there would be "tremendous co-operation" between the Sports Ministry and Olympic committees and federations.
"By 2010, when we host the Commonwealth Games, we would not only have better infrastructure but also establish India as a sporting powerhouse of Asia," he said.