KNB News Desk
Srinagar 27 September (KNB): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Anurag Thakur Monday during an inauguration of Indoor Stadium in Budgam said that 22 Indoor stadiums would be constructed in the Union Territory of J&K and Ladakh and among them each stadium would be put up in every district.
On the occasion, the I&B Minister Anurag Thakur said that it is a very happy day for J&K as three indoor stadiums have been inaugurated in one day.
He said that PM Narendra Modi has in total given Rs 200 Cr for sports facilities in J&K. “22 indoor stadiums would be constructed in J&K and Ladakh and among them each would be constructed in every district of J&K and Ladakh, which is a thought of the PM,” Thakur said.
He said he became very happy to see the players’ beautiful display of their sports. Thakur said that during rain and snow, the players do not need to worry about what to do as they have now got a throughout years playing facility, which players can avail for 12 months each year.
He also complimented the manner of sports which was presented by little girls and said that they won the hearts of all. He said during his few days here, he went to different parts of the UT and everybody stressed on the provision of sports facilities to the youth of J&K, which, as per Anurag Thakur, was a very happy thing to know.
Thakur said that he was looking to take stock of sports facilities personnel in J&K and wanted to meet the players of every district to figure out from them what other things they need.
“Applications related to 40 Khelo India Centres have been received from here and among which some have been approved and rest would be sanctioned later so that Khelo India Centre would be established here,” he said.
Regarding the demands for water sports facilities in Srinagar and other places, he said that funds have been given for that and for the renovation of Bakshi Stadium Rs. 44 Cr. have been given. He said that M A Stadium, Jammu after renovating by using Rs 40 Cr. has been already inaugurated.
Anurag Thakur advised the people of the county to visit J&K and take a view of the beauty, mountains and Dal Lake of Kashmir.
“We have to play with sportsman’s spirit and keep drugs at bay. Medals have to be won not only for the J&K but for the country and for which preparations need to be done,” Thakur said.
In the later part of his speech, Thakur said that this time 19 para-athletes had taken part in the Rio Paralympics and 19 medals were secured by them for the country.
However, on the sidelines of the event, Anurag Thakur while talking to reporters took dig at the former ruling parties of J&K for not coming up with anything during the last 75 years. He said that during the Covid, the centre made sure to promote the sale for Apples and to help in earning profit on it at the same time. Thakur further said that work towards the increase in development has also been done.
He further said that militant activities and stone pelting have decreased in the valley. “The people of J&K believe in the development and the more interest is being shown by youth in the sports activities,” said Thakur. (KNB)