HP to set up 332 sports centres in rural areas

Shimla, Nov 21 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Government would set up 332 ''Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan'' (PYKKA) centres in different clusters of gram panchayats during current financial year in support with the Central Government to give boost to sports activities in the state.

Out of 332 Centres, 324 would be established as village Panchayat PYKKA and 8 block Panchayat PYKKA centres during current financial year, an official release issued here today stated. An amount of over Rs 4 crore would be spent over creation of such Centres all over the state during current financial year and availing the benefit of special category state the Central grants would be on the ratio of 90:10 basis.

The release stated that the Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal had also requested the Union Ministry for Youth Services and Sports for revival of the Grants for Creation of Sports Infrastructure Scheme which had been discontinued since the year 2005-06 so that quality infrastructure was created in the rural areas for the benefit of the rural youth.

He requested the Union Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports to increase the award money to 'Krida Shri' from Rs 500 to Rs 1,550 at Panchayat Level and from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 at Block Level so that more youth were motivated to take part in the sports events.

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