STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: The government has decided to establish artificial turf football fields and cricket grounds in all the 142 undivided blocks of the State to promote sports activities in an institutionalised format.
This was announced by the Minister for Youth Services and Sports and Information Technology, Molvi Imran Raza Ansari, at a high-level meeting convened here on Saturday .
The minister said these new sports fields will be provided with artificial high-mast lighting and other amenities like toilets, drinking water and change rooms for the sportspersons.
He said the Government of India has agreed to provide financial assistance for creation of these new facilities to promote sports activities at the grassroots level in the State.
The meeting discussed in detail various initiatives taken by Youth Services and Sports Department and J and K State Sports Council for development of sports infrastructure and promotion of sports activities in the State.
The minister said the extra funding by the Centre for new facilities will be in addition around Rs 200 crore already earmarked under the Prime Minister’s Developmental Package (PMDP) for development of sports infrastructure in J and K.
The meeting was informed that under PMDP multi-sports indoor halls are coming up in all the 22 districts besides renovation of two major stadia – Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar and MAM Stadium in Jammu has been undertaken. It also includes establishment of Water Sports Complex and other facilities.
“Rs 84 crore would be spent on developing Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar and Maulana Azad Memorial (MAM) Stadium, Jammu along with facilities of synthetic tracks and turf for athletics and hockey, and swimming pools,” the minister said adding that Rs 2.63 crore would be spent on lighting system in synthetic football ground at Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) and Gani Memorial Stadium, Srinagar. He said similarly Rs 6 crore has been earmarked under PMDP for development of infrastructure for water sports activities in the State. Secretary J and K State Sports Council Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra informed the meeting about Rs 5.63 crore action plan submitted on April 18, 2017 to continue the Khelo India Programme at District and State Level under revised guidelines.
