Dr. Mandaviya Unveils Digilocker for Athletes to Enhance Record Management and Expedite Benefits
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Synopsis
On April 24, Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya launched the Digilocker system for athletes in New Delhi, mandating national federations to digitize essential documents within a year, aiming to streamline processes and expedite access to benefits.
Key Takeaways
- Digilocker system introduced for athletes.
- Mandatory digitization of documents by federations.
- Improved access to job opportunities and benefits.
- Over 25,000 sportspersons employed in government positions.
- Focus on reducing bureaucratic delays for Olympic medallists.
New Delhi, April 24 (NationPress) In a groundbreaking initiative to simplify the documentation process for athletes, Sports Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya introduced the Digilocker system for sports professionals, mandating national federations to digitize certificates and essential documents within a year.
The launch event was graced by representatives from 40 National Sports Federations and several athletes, including Tokyo Olympics silver medallist Mirabai Chanu and hockey player Jarmanpreet Singh.
This innovative digital platform, created by Digital India Corporation (DIC) under the Ministry of Electronics and IT, will enable athletes to securely store, verify, and access their documents. The primary aim of this system is to remove obstacles such as unverified certificates, which can sometimes hinder athletes from obtaining job opportunities or financial aid.
Mandaviya recalled a poignant incident where a young athlete lost a job opportunity due to certificate verification complications, stating, "This should not happen. I won’t allow exploitation," emphasizing that Digilocker will be mandatory for all federations.
The Minister further underscored the significance of this reform by expressing how the system would expedite processes for Olympic medallists. "I was informed they need to fill out application forms to claim financial benefits. The world has seen them win a medal. Why should it need verification?" Mandaviya queried. His aspiration is for athletes to receive their prize money directly in their bank accounts without unnecessary delays.
The ministry has assigned National Sports Federations (NSFs) the responsibility of digitizing all past certificates, even at the district level, by the year’s end. Outgoing Sports Secretary Sujata Chaturvedi, who was also present at the launch, mentioned that the Digilocker initiative had been under development for two years, addressing long-standing issues related to record-keeping in numerous federations.
Mandaviya also took the chance to share insights with aspiring athletes, particularly those pursuing stable employment through sports. He highlighted that over 25,000 sportspersons are currently employed across various state and central government sectors, but these roles should support their athletic pursuits rather than obstruct them.
