Cricket stadium to put Bathinda on world map: Badal

Bathinda, Dec 8 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today said that Bathinda would soon emerge as an 'International Sports Destination' with the coming up of a world class cricket stadium equipped with ultra modern sports infrastructure.

After laying the foundation stone of one of the largest cricket stadium in the world here at Dabwali Road on the occasion of Punjab 'Gaurav Divas' to celebrate his 81st birthday, Mr Badal said that the stadium would be completed within two years over 29 acres of land.

The stadium would act as a catalyst in the overall development of Bathinda district in particular and Malwa belt in general.

He said that the State Government would select 500 Schools from rural area to train the budding players by the International coaches which would ultimately help to channelize the energies of youth in constructive way.

Speaking on the occasion, Working President of Shiromani Akali Dal Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal, MP, said that the stadium was part of the government's endeavour to woo the Youth of Malwa Belt away from drug-addiction an hoped that the stadium would go a long way in producing top players in Cricket from Malwa belt.

Mr Sukhbir Singh Badal also stated that Punjab government would soon formulate a sports policy to encourage the culture of sports amongst the students during their academic curriculum.

He also said that the Punjab government would soon construct a world class hockey stadium to provide better facilities to the hockey players.

On the occasion, cash prizes worth of Rs one crore were disbursed to the players who won medals in the Asian Games 2006 and the winners of Asian Hockey Cup 2007.

UNI