Special schemes to promote sports in Bihar

Patna, Jul 17 (UNI) The Bihar government has made special schemes to develop sports, its related infrastructure and promote athlets of the state.

Bihar art and culture and sports Minister Renu Devi told newspersons here today that stadiums would be constructed in 534 blocks under the ambitious scheme to provide better facilities to the athlets of the state.

She said stadiums with 400 metre track would be constructed at 66 places, while 34 stadiums would be made with 300 meter track and 173 places had been selected for construction of footbal stadia.

The minister said Rs 899 lakhs had been earmarked for the purpose and the department was trying to get additional allotments for development of sports related infrastructure in the state.

Ms Renu Devi said the government has arranged facilities for imparting special training to the athlets in 16 districts under which they would be trained in table tennis, cricket, badminton, hockey and other games.

The budgetary provisions for promoting sports in schools had been enhanced from Rs 35 lakhs to Rs 70 lakhs in 2008-09 she said adding that the athelets would be awarded based on their performances.

The minister further informed that the construction work was going on to develop Moinul Haque stadium of Patna for holding international level games including cricket matches.

UNI RS KK AM HT1955