Hooda fixes target of 12 medals for Haryana in next Olympics

New Delhi: Felicitating Indian sportsmen from Haryana who won accolades and medals at the London Olympics, Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Saturday said the northern state has fixed a target of winning 12 medals for the country in the next Olympics.

Wrestler Sushil Kumar, badminton star Saina Nehwal, shooter Gagan Narang and wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt and others called on Hooda at his residence on Saturday. Though Haryana`s population is just two per cent of the country`s total population, 18 out of 81 players that took part in the Olympics were from the state which ended up winning four medals, the Chief Minister said. "Now for 2016 Olympics, the target for Haryana players has been fixed at 12 medals," he said. On the lines of Right to Education, Haryana Government is contemplating to bring a bill on Right to Play. "To give positive direction to the energy of the youth, the Government has decided to lay stress on the development of sports. About 200 stadia have been constructed in rural areas where coaching will be given in different sports. Academies are being established for different sports," he said. Nehwal said that the support and encouragement extended by the Haryana Government to its players had been "fantastic" and all state governments should extend similar "support" to their players. PTI