Sports Stadiums to be constructed in Himachal

By: Neha Chandok

Shimla: 3243 Gram Panchayats and 77 Development Blocks would be provided sports stadium by spending Rs. 72,15,54,000 by the year 2016-17 and 324 Gram Panchayats and 8 blocks had been targeted during current financial year to be provided such stadiums by spending Rs. 8.28 crore. This was stated by Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister while speaking on the occasion of inaugural ceremony of the 4- day long 2nd State level Rural Sports Tournament under 18 category under Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) at Indira Gandhi Stadium at Una.

Chief Minister said that rural sports infrastructure was being created with a view to help rural sports come to the fore and represent State at national and international level. He said that such activities were also helpful in proper channelization of the energy of the youth. He said that it would go a long way in creating a force of strong and healthy citizens.

Prof. Dhumal said that the State Government had enhanced sports grant to various sports association by enhancing grant from Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 35,000, Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 75,000 with a view to motivate youth to exhibit their sports talent. He said that emphasis of the sports activities had been in the rural areas and PYKKA had been created to give boost to sports activities at the gram panchayat level.

He further said that 45 sports stadiums had been constructed at a cost of Rs. 24 crore and indoor stadiums constructed at Una, Dharamsala and Bilaspur. He said that to motivate participation and provided opportunity to the special children Rs. 8 lakhs had been provided for their sports activities so that they did not feel ignored and could show their sports talents in the games being organized for such special children.

He further stated that State Government was providing three percent reservation to the outstanding sports persons in the government sector and so far 191 sportsmen had been appointed in various departments against sports recruitment quota.

Chief Minister said that hockey field would also be attached to the sports stadium in Una so that besides other games hockey was also popularised in the area as the district had provided hockey player which had excelled and earned laurels to the State at national and international level.