‘State will geo-map sports to create area specific infra’
GURURGAM: To boost sports infrastructure in Haryana, chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Tuesday said the government is geo-mapping sports that are played in different parts of the state.
“We are committed to providing the best facilities and support to sportspersons of Haryana, who have proved their mettle at international level. The sports department is geo-mapping sports played in the state. On the basis of this analysis, sports stadiums, schools and nurseries for specific games will be opened to nurture talent in these areas,” said Khattar at a promotional event for Khelo India Youth Games held at the North Cap University in Gurugram on Tuesday. Haryana is hosting the fourth edition of the games from June 4 to June 13 at Panchkula.
“These events will take place in Panchkula, Shahabad, Ambala, Chandigarh and even Delhi. This promotional event is being held to let people in NCR know that Haryana is hosting such a grand sports event for the first time, and they should make it a success by watching it in big numbers,” he said.
Khattar said that 8,500 sportspersons from across the country will participate in the event. “I hope and wish that sportspersons from Haryana win the maximum medals in this event but we will also act as great hosts and role medals for these games,” he said.
To help sportspersons prepare for the games, the CM said that their daily diet allowance has been increased from ₹250 to ₹400. “We have increased the expenditure on sports infrastructure. Last year, the budget was ₹526 crore,” he said.
Haryana minister of state for sports Sandeep Singh, cabinet minister Banwari Lal, MLA of Gurugram Sudhir Singla, mayor Madhu Azad, additional chief secretary of sports department Mahavir Singh, deputy commissioner of Gurugram Nishant Yadav, and commissioner of police Kala Ramchandran were present at the event along with senior officials of sports department.
This edition of the Khelo India Youth Games is being jointly organised by the state government and the sports authority of India (SAI), and the union ministry of youth affairs and sports . As many as 25 sports events will be organised, including five traditional games like Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta, Malkhamb and Yogasana, officials in the know said.