Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 18: Sports Authority of India (SAI) has opened its Sports Training Centres (STCs) at Jammu and Srinagar in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council. The Sanction to these Centres was accorded by the Governing Council of Sports Authority of India after it was approached by the J&K Govt for the same and a detailed meeting was held between the officers of the State Govt and the SAI.
This was informed by Sanjeev Sharma, Director SAI Northern Centre, Chandigarh, while addressing media persons at MA Stadium in Jammu, the venue for STC Jammu.
Prominent among others present on the occasion were SM Bali, former Secretary General Handball Federation of India; Ramesh Kalie, In-charge Academics NIS; Ranjeet Singh Chib, former Handball Captain of India; Rajan Sharma, Divisional Sports Officer; Kuldeep Handoo, National Wushu coach and Varinder Sharma, SAI cricket coach and In-charge STC Jammu.
The proceedings of the conference were conducted by Aman Sharma, SAI Basketball coach.
Sanjeev Sharma said on the recommendations of the State Government, the identified disciplines in Jammu are Basketball, Badminton, Handball, Gymnastics, Wushu and Table Tennis.
“To start with residential hostel is being opened for Basketball and Handball, while Day Boarding Scheme has been extended to include Badminton boys and girls and the Day Boarding Scheme for Basketball boys and girls I is already on in Jammu, ” Mr Sharma said.
He said according to Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which is to be signed SAI and J&K Govt, J&K State Sports Council has provided residential accommodation for 40 trainees at MA Stadium and sports infrastructure at MA Stadium and other stadia in Jammu, while SAI will bear all other expenditure as per its norms.
SAI is also starting simultaneously an Extension Centre at Srinagar which will have Day Boarding facility in volleyball and football sports disciplines.
The response of the sportspersons in Jammu in the ongoing 2-day trials has been very good and 165 candidates from all parts of Jammu and adjoining areas appeared in the trials, while the trials at Srinagar will be held on May 25, 2015.
Meanwhile, MLA Sat Sharma distributed kits among the boys and girls of SAI Day Boarding Scheme.
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