Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 4: Minister for Horticulture, Housing, Culture and Youth Services and Sports (YSS) Raman Bhalla today reviewed the functioning of Department of Youth Services and Sports at a high level meeting of officers.
Secretary Youth Services and Sports and Technical Education Parvez Malik, Director General YSS Naveen Aggarwal, Secretary Sports Council Dalip Thusoo, Managing Director Jammu and Kashmir Housing Board Ram Pal Sharma, Joint Secretary Sports Council, Siddharth Sharma, Executive Engineer YSS and Sports Council Sher Mohammad Khan besides district officers of Jammu region were present in the meeting.
Mr. Bhalla also reviewed the steps taken recently to strengthen sports infrastructure in the State. He impressed upon the officers to further augment and strengthen sports infrastructure in the State to provide better facilities to the sportspersons.
The Minister said that the Central Government has approved a special package of Rs. 1000 cr to strengthen sports infrastructure in the state. Under this package, he said, a sports complex comprising both indoor and outdoor facilities would be constructed in every block of the State. Besides, he said, a sports field would be constructed in every Panchayat.
Mr. Bhalla said that already work has started on some ambitious projects in the State adding that astro turf grounds are being set up at TRC Srinagar and Azad Gunj Baramulla while as the foundations of Rs. 18 crore sports complex and a football academy has already been laid. He said every district would have sports academy where young boys and girls would be imparted coaching by reputed experts.
Similarly work on indoor stadium Jammu, renovation of M. A. Stadium, Jammu and other augmentations are in full swing, he said.
The Minister directed the Department to conduct more and more youth interactions and sports meets so that young boys and girls of the State are able to showcase their talent.
Earlier, Mr. Bhalla also took stock of the development works like swimming pool at M. A. Stadium, multipurpose Indoor Hall at M A Stadium, modernisation of M A Stadium Pavellion and Kabbadi Pavillion at M. A Stadium.
He asked the executing agencies to complete the ongoing projects within stipulated time frame for the benefit of sports lovers, for which Government has earmarked Rs. 10.87 crore.
To promote sports infrastructure in Bhour Camp, Satwari Panchayat, Channi Himmat and Bandhu Rakh, Mr. Bhalla said that Government has identified land in these areas for construction of Play fields and Indoor Stadiums. He asked the accompanied Youth Services, Sports and Sports Council officers to start the projects for the convenience of youth, for which Government has earmarked Rs. 3.60 crore.
The Minister informed that an amount of Rs. 672.07 lakh is proposed for 2014-15 for further construction of ongoing playfields across the State and taking up new school playfields under State sector. He said the department intends to provide playing facility by way of development of playfield in each school. In first phase, playfields of HSS and High Schools shall be taken in hand subject to the availability of land in the school.
Mr. Bhalla also inspected the Kabbadi ground in the stadium which is being raised at a cost of Rs. 40 lakh. He asked the engineers to complete all works so that the players get the benefits instantly.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
