Sports Schools in all Districts of Karnataka: Minister

Mangalore, Mar 17 (UNI) The Karnataka government proposes to set up Sports Schools in all the Districts in the State to encourage rural talents, Minister for Sports and Youth Service Hanumanthappa Hulkod said today.

Speaking after inaugurating the Daxina Kannada Jilla Yuvajana Mela '' Kalamela Vaibhava'' at Bykampady near here, he said that as a further step to encouragement to sports talents specially in rural areas, the ministry was also arranging Sports Melas at all hobli levels.

''On the lines of Awards given to Sports persons at State and National level, it was decided to award outstanding sports persons at District level. For this, the Ministry had also sent government circular to set apart Two per cent of the funds from the Development Grant by each Zilla Panchayat, Taluk Panchayat, Gram Panchayat and One per cent by City Corporation and strict implementation of this scheme would be on the local people representatives and the officials.

Expressing his deep displeasure, Mr Hulkod said that the budgetary allocation to his Ministry in the State Budget for 2007-08 presented yesterday was most insufficient. Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa, who also holds Finance portfolio had earlier assured to make adequate fund allocation to Sports and Youth ministry but failed to do so, he added.

UNI