Bangalore: In order to provide basic infrastructure a total proposal for Rs.160 under the Khello India project has been submitted to the Union Government for grants.
Minister of State for Youth Empowerment and Sports, Planning, Program monitoring and Statistics, Dr. Narayana Gowda, held a meeting with senior officials of the Sports Authority of India, and explained the proposal submitted by the state government, and requested that it be approved soon. He also appealed the Central Govt for grant of Rs.310 crores for providing outdoor gym facility under the ‘Fit India Abhiyan’
Dr. Narayana Gowda during the meeting with senior officials of SAI said Sportsmen of Karnataka etched name at the International level. Young Sportsmen at the university level are exhibiting their talents to bring laurels to the State. It is the responsibility of the state government to provide adequate facilities to young athletes. In this regard, every taluk, at the district level, should provide the best stadium and sports facilities this needs the necessary grants from the central government. A proposal for a grant of 160 crores under the Khelo India Scheme has been submitted. It has been submitted to the Central Government to set up 32 Khelo India Centers in various districts of the State.
An action plan has been prepared to provide outdoor gym facilities to 6022-gram panchayats in the state and this requires Rs. 310 crores. The Minister explained to the officials that the project has a provision under the Prime Minister’s dream project, FIT India, which requires financial assistance from the central government.
In addition, an estimated amount of Rs 16 crore has been proposed to develop a Taluk level stadium in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Vijayapur and up-gradation of existing stadiums in Chamarajanagar, Yadagiri, Dharwad, and Bagalkot.
In the meantime, the officials briefed the Minister about the second edition of the interstate University Sports meet being held in Bangalore and sought the cooperation of the state government.
The meet will be held in February 2022 in association with All India University and National Sports Organizations. The first edition was held in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
A team of officials from the Khelo India Authority arrived in Bangalore and inspected the infrastructure for organizing the Games. Over 4000 athletes from 150 universities from different states of the country are likely to participate in the event.
There are 17 different types of sports events for young men and women under the age of 25. A total of 6,000 people are expected to participate, including technical officers, auxiliary staff, and volunteers
The games like Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Fencing, Football, Hockey, Judo, Kabaddi, Swimming, Volleyball, Wrestling, Weightlifting, Table Tennis, Tennis, Karate and specially Malkamb and Yogasan are included in the event.
The event will be held in Bangalore for a total of 9 days. Athletic will be hosted by the Youth Empowerment and Sports Department at the Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium and the Hockey tournaments will be held at the Field Marshal General Kariappa Hockey Stadium. The state government will be responsible for the housing, transportation, sports infrastructure, sports equipment, and outreach arrangements of the Khelo India University Games. Sports Authority of India will be responsible for the inauguration, closing ceremony, selection of participating athletes, and the technical arrangements of the Games.
The state government will submit a proposal to the central government for necessary sports facilities and grants for the Games. Dr. Shalini Rajneesh additional Chief Secretary, Srinivas, Commissioner Department, Youth Empowerment and Sports, Satyanarayana Meena, Senior Director. Khelo India, Rajinder Singh, Prashanth Singh, Varun Sachdev, Gopal Kandpal, Harish KN Other officers were present at the meeting.
Photo Courtesy: G. Mohan
