Bengaluru: Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Sunday said the State Government will shortly adopt 75 sportspersons for preparing them for the Paris Olympics.

“I must congratulate our Sports Minister. Within a few days of my announcement of the Amrit Sports Adoption Programme, he has become proactive. Selection process for adopting 75 sportspersons for Paris Olympics is underway under the scheme. Selecting the right candidates also is equally very important,” he said on the occasion of National Sports Day.

Bommai said the Government is planning to build sports complexes of international standards in every region of the State, where international sports persons are groomed and trained by international coaches.

The Government plans to draft former Olympians and international achievers as coaches at the sports complexes, he said.

“Building the right kind of coaches is a very big challenge. So, we have to coach the coaches first, then we can think about high standards,” he added.

Bommai said the Government is also mulling to give employment to sportspersons. The Government has already allotted two percent sports quota of employment in the Police Department and is thinking of adding two more departments, he added.

Probably by March, Bommai said the Government would allocate a proper and adequate budget for sports.

Lauding Prime Minister Modi for launching Khelo India, he said the sports event has changed the mood of the youths and inspired them to play for the country.

“Representing the country is such a great honour. Such a great feeling. It increases the emotion quotient. This only is understood better by sportspersons who have achieved,” he said.

Bommai said his Government will give due respect and position to all sportspersons. He said sports teaches to take victory and losses equally in stride. It also teaches to honour opponents, which is very necessary, more so for the politicians, he said.