At inauguration of a swimming pool at the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Eastern Centre on Friday, on the 112th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, the Union Sports Minister, Dr. M. S. Gill explained that Football is not only a world's sport but it is the people's game.

Dr. Gill laid stress on the requirement to strengthen the infrastructure for the sport to develop.

"India once played in the semifinals of an Olympic Games and now is ranked 140, 150 or nowhere. We must get back to that old level of eminence," said Dr. Gill in the presence of Badru Banerjee, captain of the Indian football team at the 1956 Olympics.

Talking about the swimming pool, he suggested that the new swimming pool acquires international standards and would give a fillip to aquatics in Bengal. Furthermore, Dr. Gill also said that encouragement is required to develop sports like volleyball, basketball and athletics as well corporate houses need to be supported.

Dr. Gill added, "The money that is being spent on sport by the big industrial houses is insufficient."