Rijiju said the coronavirus-forced nationwide lockdown, which has been extended till May 17, forced his ministry to delay the resumption of the training camps at Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres.
Pointing out how swimmers from Asian countries such as China and Japan have been giving a tough competition to Americans, Europeans and Australians, the Sports Minister said that genetically India is well-equipped to master the sport.
Rijiju said talent scouting for 2028 Olympics has already begun and the process will get further boost once the nationwide coronavirus-forced lockdown is lifted.
Kiren Rijiju said that kabaddi has huge potential not just in India and Asia, but globally and the ultimate aim of the country is to have the sport included in the Olympics.
Speaking in the inaugural session of the six-day online seminar jointly hosted by SAFF and AFI, Rijiju said the government would frame athlete-centric and sports-centric policies.
Rijiju's statement came after reports emerged that Indian Olympic Association president Narinder Batra had recently alleged that the ministry was trying to interfere in the functioning of NSFs.
Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju visited the Sports Authority of India's headquarters wearing a mask and sanitised his hands before entering the premises
All ministers were on Saturday asked to resume office from Monday along with joint secretary-level officers and one-third of their essential staff.
Kiren Rijiju's office on Thursday evening said the Indian Embassy in San Francisco has been contacted and they are sending a doctor to attend Ashok Diwan who is currently dealing with health issues.
Rijiju held a meeting with regional directors of all SAI centres across the country through a video conference call and took a stock of the situation. He also deliberated upon measures needed to be taken once the lockdown is lifted.
Kiren Rijiju has lauded the Indian men's football team and former players for their helping hand towards the fight against COVID-19, saying young athletes have shown the way.
Deputy chief national athletics coach Radhakrishnan Nair, who is supporting the move, told that the Hima-led campers at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) are expecting a reply from the ministry in a day or two.
The country is under a 21-day lockdown to contain the spread of the deadly virus that has claimed more than 30,000 lives globally.
Kiren Rijiju donated his one month salary over and above Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directive to all BJP MPs to contribute Rs one crore from MPLAD funds in the country's fight against COVID-19 pandemic.
Sports personalities across all disciplines have come forward and donated as India looks to win a battle against the pandemic that has seen countries across the globe come to a standstill.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Japan Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday announced postponement of the 2020 Games, scheduled for July-August, to the summer of 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic which has brought the world to a standstill.
Sports minister Kiren Rijiju has insisted that the athletes who are returning from high-risk coronavirus affected nations will be put into quarantine.
Rijiju reiterated that while it is the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) which decides on cricketing matters, the pandemic is something which has a direct effect on the loves of the citizens of the country.
The Minister of State for Youth Affairs and Sports said kabaddi is an indigenous sport and that the government would make efforts to take it to the Olympics.
Earlier, ace Indian shuttler P.V. Sindhu had also taken up the challenge and had posted a video on Twitter in which she was seen washing her hands with soap for almost 30 seconds.
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