Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Jan 10: Elite Sports Body of the State, Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council, initiated the development of huge infrastructure in the State and constructed major portion of the same in almost all the districts of the State in the year 2013.
While, the construction work is in progress on over a dozen projects, the same has been completed on half a dozen other projects.
Sources said, that the Sports Council has taken-up laying of synthetic turf for football at Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) ground, Srinagar at the cost of Rs 450.00 lacs and the base for laying of the turf has been constructed and turf is expected to be laid shortly.
The renovation work of Sher-i-Kashmir Indoor Sports Complex, Srinagar at the cost of Rs 5.00 crore has been initiated by the Council to make it functional and update the same on modern lines. This complex was badly damaged due to the occupation of Security Forces for many years. Central heating system, electrification and change rooms will also be taken by the Council shortly, sources added.
When contacted by EXCELSIOR over this major initiative by the Government, Secretary State Sports, Dalip Thussu said that the development of sports infrastructure in the State was the need of the honour, with regard to providing sufficient facilities to the budding sportspersons to hone their skill and talent at the grass-root level. He further said that the State Government is keen to develop sports infrastructure in nooks and corners of the State.
The ongoing construction of New Indoor Complex at MA Stadium in Jammu at a cost of Rs 7.00 crores, under USIS Scheme of Government of India is one of the mega projects that State Sports Council has taken-up. The establishment of this infrastructure has overcome the long pending problem of holding indoor activities in a hall vacated by Agro Industries. Construction work for the same is still in progress. This Complex will enable the sportspersons of this region to polish their skill at standard infrastructure.
Roller skating being one of the medal winning sports disciplines in the State was lacking standard infrastructure. Athletes of Jammu have the proficiency in this sports discipline and possess all that is required to blossom at the higher levels. For that matter, a new Skating Rink constructed at a cost of Rs 26.00 lacs at MA Stadium will cater to the needs of the budding skaters of Jammu and help them in excelling at the highest level. Otherwise, the existing Rink at MA Stadium was not of standard specifications.
Sources said that the swimming pool at MA Stadium Jammu has remained non-functional for last 10 years due to defects as a result of which the activity has suffered a lot and to overcome this problem, the Council has initiated renovation of Swimming Pool at a cost of Rs 177.89 lacs and the construction work is under process.
“Apart from these projects, the State Sports Council has initiated the construction work of synthetic basketball court at Sher-i-Kashmir Indoor Complex, Srinagar, pavilion at Sports Stadium, Tulibal in Sopore, Pavilion at kabaddi court Jammu, basketball court at MA Stadium Jammu, Indoor halls at Bana Singh Stadium, RS Pura, pavilion at KK Hakhu Astroturf Hockey Stadium Jammu, Sports Stadium at Anantnag, Indoor Stadium at Baramulla and Multi Sports Activity Centre Rajbagh in Srinagar at a cost of 25.50 lacs, 238.00 lacs, 40.00 lacs, 25.80 lacs, 1.00 crore, 130.62 lacs, 18.00 crores and11.50 crores respectively,” sources further added.
Meanwhile, Heads of many Sports Associations and young sportspersons of the State were ecstatic over the development of sufficient sports infrastructure in the State and hoped for better results of Jammu and Kashmir contingents at the national scene. Talking to EXCELSIOR, Heads of some prominent Sports Associations praised the State Government, Sports Ministry and the Council Head for their commitment in building sports infrastructure in the State.
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