Olympic telecast, kiosks for sports awareness

In a bid to create awareness about the upcoming Olympic games and to encourage the youth to take up sports as a career, the East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) has been making elaborate plans. Apart from installing giant screens and information kiosks, the civic body will be also be approaching former Olympians for their campaign.

“We are finalising the modalities of awareness drive to be taken in EDMC areas for the upcoming Olympics at Rio. As per the initial plan, apart from live streaming of games, especially those in which Indian athletes are participating, kiosks relating the history of the games and other interesting facts will be put up,” said a senior EDMC official.

“Former Olympic stars will share their experiences and interesting anecdotes with the public during the quadrennial event from August 5 to 21. Their encouraging words will inspire future Olympians,” he added.

According to the official, awareness about the Olympic games have increased among the youth and children in the last two decades, particularly since 1996 when Leander Paes won a bronze medal in lawn tennis. “Performance of Indian athletes has improved since 1996 and in the last summer Olympics at London , they gave one of their best performances with two silver and four bronze medals. We are expecting more medals from our athletes at the Rio Olympics this year. This will further increase awareness and interest among masses about these games,” he said.

The EDMC has on Friday set up a six-member committee to find out the appropriate space or land for the purpose, exact modalities of awareness, installation of TV monitors and giant kiosks, and to come up with new ideas.