Punjab to promote sports in rural region: Majithia

Ludhiana, Sep 10 (UNI) Information and Public Relations Minister Bikram Singh Majithia today said the state government had chalked out a comprehensive plan for the promotion of sports, under which funds amounting to Rs 2 crore were being spent to purchase sports equipment and upkeep of stadiums in the state.

The Minister was addressing a largely attended rural gathering at the concluding day function of 61st Sports Tournament organized by Guru Nanak Dev Sports Club and Gram Panchayat at village Kot Gangu Rai 25 kms from here today.

Elaborating upon the sports plan, Mr. Majatiha said that to provide international level training facilities 1600 sports wings were being set up during this year.

He said that the budding players would be selected at the primary school level and continuous coaching would be provided in the sports academies to nurture then as national and international level players.

He said that the government would fulfill its promise to create more employment opportunities to the youth and had decided to set up Skill Development centres in all parts of the state, where required training of various ventures would be provided to enable them to get jobs.

Appreciating the contribution of the rural Sports Clubs in organizing the tournament to divert the activities of youth towards sports and said these Clubs were playing a vital role in mobilising the youth away from drugs and intoxicants.

Referring to the demands, the Minister announced that water supply and sanitation scheme costing to Rs 27.10 lakh would be executed with fast speed in the village. He also announced grants of Rs 2 lakh out of his discretionary fund and Rs 2 lakh out of MPLAD, an official release here today said.

UNI