Veteran Congress leader and parliamentarian Sunil Dutt took charge of the Union Sports Ministry on Tuesday and promised facilities at par with international standards for the sportspersons of the country.
A first-time minister, Dutt agreed that India lacked in infrastructure which was an impediment in the country becoming a sporting powerhouse.
"I agree to a great extent (that we lack proper infrastructure). We must respect people who represent us in sporting arena. They should get the same facilities as sportspersons in the other parts of the world. This will be our effort," Dutt told reporters soon after taking office at the Shastri Bhawan.
Vouching to change the face of sports, the actor-turned politican said he would ensure that his Ministry "shines" by virtue of his hard work.
"I am like a bull. When I work I work -- heavy bulls can't turn their heads -- I will also work very hard and ensure that my ministry shines," he said adding he had asked specifically for this post and was not here by any compulsion.
"I had asked for it. I told the Prime Minister give me a portfolio where I can perform and feel that I have done something for my people," said Dutt, who will also be in charge of Youth Affairs.
Accompanied by his daughter Priya, son-in-law Kumar Gaurav alongwith some other members of his family, Dutt also emphasised on the need to have sporting heroes.
"We have political heroes and film heroes. Cricket also has heroes. But hockey and other sports need heroes. Athletics is also very, very important. In every sporting field we need them to make the game popular among the youth of the country."
Underlining that his priority would be to take the youth of the country in the "right direction", he said the Sports department was started by Congress and he would take all steps to "further enhance" the intiative taken by late prime minister Indira Gandhi.
"We will all sit together and assess things. We will ask for feedback from various associations and federations and ask them how the money was spent," he said while replying to a query on accountability.
He hoped the Indian contingents especially athletes and shooters would do well in the Olympics.
"I will be very delighted if they do well. They are working very hard as very few days are left for the Games."
Asked whether he hoped India would do well in hockey as well, he said, "I think everything is settled in hockey now," referring to the recent controversy over selection policy of the Indian Hockey Federation.
