Haryana earmarks Rs 39.70 crore for sports promotion

Ambala, Apr 19 (UNI) Haryana Government had earmarked a sum of Rs 39.70 crore for promotion of sports during the current financial year and was giving special thrust to grooming players who could bring laurels for the country.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said here today while addressing players after inaugurating three-day 9th District Sports Meet organised by United Basket Ball Club at Ambala Cantt that special efforts were on to promote sports so that state could become number one in the field of sports.

A multipurpose hall was being constructed at a cost of Rs. 2.50 crore in Sports School, Rai.

With a view to groom rural talent, stadium in 140 villages were being constructed at a cost of Rs. 40 crore. In the first phase stadium would be constructed at block level, at least a stadium in one big village of the block.

A proposal was also under consideration for setting up of a sports premises and modern sports academy at Rohtak.

The strength of sports nurseries had been increased from 20 to 31 and free board and lodging and training facilities were also being provided to the players.

While lauding the role of the girls hockey players of Shahbad who won the gold medal in the recently held Commonwealth Games, the Chief Minister said that it was a matter of pride for the state that 50 per cent girls hockey players in Indian Team were from Shahbad.

The Chief Minister also announced a grant of Rs. 2 lakh from his discretionary fund to the United Basketball Club and promised to sympathetically consider their demands for more facilities like astroturf.

Later, the Chief Minister inaugurated an Administrative Block of Post Graduate Government College Ambala Cantt.

Mr Hooda also inaugurated the office of District Rural Development Agency and Zila Parishad Office in Ambala City.

He also laid the foundation stone of Rs 1.10 crore Rajiv Gandhi Sports Stadium in Ambala City.

Mr. Hooda also laid the foundation stone of a 66 K.V. sub station at Company Bag in Ambala City.

The Chief Minister said that Haryana Government had earmarked a sum of Rs 3238 crore during the current financial year for strengthening the power generation, transmission and distribution systems in the State.

UNI