Tsunami hit Carnic to get a modern sports complex

Port Blair, Aug 22 (UNI) To harness the potential of sportspersons in the remote islands of Andaman and Nicobar, the government has decided to set up a modern Sports Complex at Lapathy village in Car Nicobar.

Andaman Sports Arts and Culture Director Lucas Robert informed here today that initially, a football stadium with gallery can accommodate 5000 spectators. Besides, two sports hostels for boys and girls will also come up in the first phase.

The proposed complex would be constructed in an area of 10 hec of land at Lapathy at an estimated cost of Rs 9.76 crore.

Mr Lucas said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his post- tsunami visit had assured financial assistance to reviving the sports facilities in that area.

The PMO had given a grant of Rs 8 crores from the Prime Ministers' Relief Fund to the local administration here. Rs 1.76 crores more would be added to the grants, Mr Lucas said.

''The construction work will be taken up as soon as we get an environment clearance from the Environment&Forest ministry,'' he added.

The existing John Richardson Stadium had already been renovated by the PWD division in Car Nicobar with all sports facilities.

Car Nicobar was one of the worst hit islands of the archipelago, where nearly 3800 people were killed in the tsunami that hit South East Asia on December 26, 2004.

UNI