Sports Dept to join Special Campaign 5.0 for cleanliness

The Government of India has consistently emphasized the importance of good governance, transparency, and efficiency in public administration. In line with this vision, the Department of Sports has announced its active participation in Special Campaign 5.0, a nationwide initiative aimed at improving cleanliness, enhancing efficiency, and addressing long-pending matters across ministries and departments.

This campaign, spearheaded under the broader framework of the Government’s “Swachhata Hi Seva” and Good Governance (Sushasan) vision, is not merely about cleaning physical spaces. It is also about building an ecosystem where productivity improves, bureaucracy is streamlined, and pending files or grievances are resolved effectively.

The participation of the Department of Sports in this campaign highlights the government’s intent to bring discipline, transparency, and cleanliness into the sports ecosystem of India—an area that deeply influences youth development, national pride, and international recognition.

What is Special Campaign 5.0?

The Special Campaign (SC) series is an administrative initiative launched by the Government of India to:

• Reduce pendency of public grievances, references, and parliamentary matters.
• Enhance cleanliness in government offices and public facilities.
• Improve work culture and productivity through systemic reforms.
• Optimize office space by removing redundant records and files.

Special Campaign 5.0 is the fifth edition of this program, building upon the successes of earlier phases. Each edition focuses not only on short-term visible results (like cleaning drives) but also on creating a sustainable impact by improving efficiency in governance.

Why the Department of Sports is Participating

Sports in India has moved beyond being just an extracurricular activity; it is now seen as a pillar of nation-building. From Olympic achievements to grassroots-level training, sports play a vital role in shaping the country’s identity and youth engagement. However, government institutions connected with sports often deal with challenges such as:

• Piles of pending files, references, and grievances.
• Maintenance of large sporting complexes, stadiums, and training centers.
• Need for improved transparency in funding and athlete support schemes.
• Ensuring that the sports ecosystem remains people-friendly, efficient, and globally competitive.

By joining Special Campaign 5.0, the Department of Sports is expected to:

1. Resolve Pending Files & Matters – Clear backlog of grievances, parliamentary references, and administrative delays.
2. Improve Cleanliness – Ensure stadiums, training grounds, and sports offices are well-maintained and hygienic.
3. Enhance Transparency – Reduce bureaucratic delays and improve accessibility for athletes, coaches, and the general public.
4. Optimize Resources – Free up space by discarding outdated files, digitizing records, and improving digital infrastructure.

Key Focus Areas for the Department of Sports

1. Cleanliness of Sports Facilities
   • Stadiums, indoor arenas, sports complexes, and training centers across the country will undergo special cleaning drives.
   • Athlete hostels and accommodation facilities will be upgraded for hygiene and comfort.
2. Clearing Backlogs
   • Pending grievances from athletes, coaches, and officials will be prioritized.
   • Parliamentary assurances, VIP references, and audit reports will be systematically addressed.
3. Digital Record Management
   • Old physical files will be reviewed, with relevant documents digitized for future use.
   • E-office practices will be encouraged to reduce paperwork and speed up decision-making.
4. Public Engagement
   • Sports bodies will create awareness campaigns about cleanliness and discipline.
   • Athletes will be involved as role models to inspire citizens towards cleanliness and efficiency.
5. Sustainability Measures
   • Green practices like waste segregation, water conservation in stadiums, and solar energy adoption in sports complexes will be promoted.

Linking Cleanliness with Sports Spirit

The campaign is not just administrative—it carries a symbolic meaning too. Sports is fundamentally about discipline, fairness, and teamwork, and these values resonate with the goals of Special Campaign 5.0.

• Discipline: Just as athletes maintain discipline in training, offices under the Sports Department must maintain order in governance.
• Fairness: Just as sports demand fair play, the department must ensure transparency in handling grievances and files.
• Teamwork: Cleanliness drives require collective effort, just like sports where teamwork ensures victory.

By adopting these values, the Department of Sports aims to create a culture of accountability and responsibility in its operations.

Expected Impact

The participation of the Department of Sports in Special Campaign 5.0 is expected to yield multiple outcomes:

1. Cleaner Sporting Facilities: Athletes and visitors will benefit from hygienic and well-maintained environments.
2. Faster Grievance Redressal: Pending complaints and references will see quicker resolution.
3. Optimized Space Utilization: Old files and junk materials will be removed, freeing up space for modern use.
4. Digital Transformation: More services will shift to digital platforms, reducing paperwork and corruption.
5. Enhanced Morale: Athletes, coaches, and staff will feel motivated working in an improved environment.

Challenges Ahead

While the initiative is promising, the Department of Sports must address certain challenges to ensure success:

• Sustaining Cleanliness: Beyond one-time drives, maintaining hygiene on a daily basis is crucial.
• Training Staff: Office and stadium staff must be trained in modern record management and cleanliness protocols.
• Monitoring Progress: A transparent monitoring mechanism is needed to measure the impact of the campaign.
• Involving Stakeholders: State-level sports bodies, federations, and athletes need to collaborate actively.

Role of Athletes as Ambassadors

The government also plans to involve athletes as ambassadors for the campaign. Just as they inspire millions on the field, athletes can motivate people to embrace cleanliness and efficiency in daily life.

For example:

• Cleanliness drives at stadiums with the participation of Olympians.
• Social media campaigns featuring athletes promoting cleanliness and transparency.
• Grassroots awareness programs in schools and colleges linking sports with Swachhata.

Alignment with National Initiatives

The campaign aligns perfectly with other national initiatives such as:

• Swachh Bharat Mission: Encouraging cleanliness across public and private spaces.
• Digital India Mission: Promoting digital record-keeping and e-governance.
• Fit India Movement: Encouraging health and hygiene through physical activity and cleanliness.
• Khelo India Scheme: Linking grassroots sports promotion with better management of sports infrastructure.