Massive infrastructure created to revive sports culture: Bhalla

JAMMU: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Mr. Raman Bhalla has said that massive sports infrastructure has been created across the State over past few years to revive the sports culture in the State and provide talented youth an opportunity to refine their skills.
The Minister was addressing a large gathering at Channi Himmat Sector-7 after inaugurating fusion fitness health club, here today.
Mr. Bhalla said Youth Services and Sports Departments is making all out efforts to organize more and more sports events in all districts of the State as it would help to tap the available talented lot. He said there was no dearth of talent in the State and only need is to engage the youth well in the sports and provide them an opportunity to exhibit their performance. He asked the officers to seek cooperation of the education and other departments, besides local sports clubs to organize sports events as it would help to promote sports culture in particular areas. He said only sports can help to channelize the energy of youth for constructive purpose, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir where there are many around to misled them.
The Minister said the Government has started several mega projects to strengthen and upgrade sports infrastructure adding that crores of rupees has been earmarked for construction of latest technique stadiums in tehsil and district levels so that sports lovers could get adequate opportunity to prepare for national and international competitions.
Mr. Bhalla said upgraded infrastructure facilities would help the budding sportspersons to do well in national and international level competitions. He said Government has launched several schemes to provide enough opportunities to the sportsmen to channelise their energies and excel in different sports activities.
The Minister urged the younger generation to participate in co-curricular activities besides academic education. He said co-curricular activities are essential for making the students physically and mentally fit. He appealed the students to participate in sports activities in a big way besides pursuing academic education.
Mr. Bhalla informed that the Government has sanctioned Rs. 75 lakh for construction of play field near Government Higher Secondary School Bahu Fort adding that on its completion the locals could celebrate their national festivals besides sports activities at their doorsteps stadium. He informed that Government has earmarked Rs. 8 crore for construction of 500 capacity fully air-conditioned auditorium at Government Girls High School, Gandhi Nagar adding with the completion of the project, the students could arrange extra co-curricular activities like cultural programmes, seminars, debating and symposium contests there.