Comprehensive programme undertaken to augment infra, promote sports activities: Dy CM

TNN Bureau. Updated: 12/11/2017 11:11:31 PM Jammu and Kashmir

Inaugurates 63rd Nat’l School Games, says Rs 200 Cr to spent on sports

JAMMU: Asserting that the government has undertaken a comprehensive programme to give a fillip to sports in the State, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh today said funds amounting Rs 200 crore have already been placed at the disposal of the State Government for upgrading the Sports infra by way of constructing new stadia, playgrounds in different areas of the State under the Prime Minister's Package.
The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of 63rd National School Games Football under-17 tournament organized by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports under the aegis of School Games Federation of India at MA Stadium. Around 23 teams from different states of the country are participating in this five-day tournament scheduled to be concluded on December 15.
Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports, Sunil Sharma, Secretary Youth Services and Sports, Hilal Parray, Director Youth Services and Sports Sheikh Fazyaz Ahmad and other senior officers, sports persons were present on the occasion.
Deputy Chief Minister said the Government has initiated a holistic programme in order to catalyze the sports activities in the State and the Center is also providing requisite funds for the same. “Funds amounting Rs 200 crore have already been placed at the disposal of the State Government for upgrading the Sports infra by way of constructing new stadia, playgrounds in different areas of the State under the Prime Minister's Package, he added.
Asserting youth of the state have tremendous potential to excel in sports which has been demonstrated by our sportsperson both at National and International level, he said the need of the hour is to hone the latent talent of the youth by providing them the opportunities of competing with National and International players so that they can make a mark and bring laurels to the State.
Referring to the initiatives undertaken for upgrading and augmenting sports infra in the State, the Deputy Chief Minister said that under ‘Khelo India’ initiative of the Prime minister several new stadia including indoor ones are also coming up in different parts of the state.
Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports, Sunil Kumar Sharma and Commissioner/ Secretary Youth Service and Sports, Hilal Parray also spoke on the occasion. A souvenir was also released on the occasion.