Pul promises infrastructure development to boost sports sector

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, March 28: Chief Minister Kalikho Pul has assured the Sports & Youth Affairs department to provide all-out support for construction of indoor and outdoor stadiums in the state with adequate fund for creation of infrastructure including hostels and staff quarter with sanitation facilities.

Gracing the award ceremony of meritorious sportspersons of the state at Banquet Hall here on Sunday, the chief minister exhorted the sports persons to pursue sports simultaneously with studies. “Every field has its own importance. Of late it is being observed that students are giving less importance in studies. I appeal the students to continue both studies as well as sport as only through studies one can learn discipline, a basic requirement to excel in sporting are,” he said.

Reiterating his government’s commitment to attach priority in the sports sector, Pul said, “Incentives and awards are not that important but winning medals and respect for the state is important which many sportspersons have already earn and proved.”

Disclosing that he had came across many sportspersons who sold their medals for survival, the chief minister asked such persons to refrain from such practices saying that the state government had already announced 10 per cent job reservation for sports persons besides announcing other aids from time to time.

He further announced that the government has decided not to me sports championships or trophies in the me of present chief minister but decided to dedicate such events in the me of former chief ministers and governors.

While urging the officials of Sports and Youth Affairs department to provide proper guidance to the students, Pul directed the department to organise award ceremony on the basis of calendar year which should be given by the end of February from next year.

Appealing the students to shun the practice of dhar and strikes within the capital for their stipends, the chief minister assured to release the stipend on monthly basis regularly while disclosing that for the interest of the women he had already proposed in the budget to introduce 24-hour luxury bus service where conductor, security guard itself would be women.