Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh today said the government has undertaken a comprehensive programme to give a fillip to sports in the State by augmenting the existing infrastructure and organizing tournaments of national and international levels.The Deputy Chief Minister was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of 63nd National School Games Football under-17 tournament organized by the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports under the aegis of School Games Federation of India at MAM Stadium.Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports, Sunil Sharma, Secretary Youth Services and Sports, Hilal Parray, Director Youth Services and Sports Sheikh Fazyaz Ahmad and other senior officers, sports persons were present on the occasion.Nearly, 23 teams from different states of the country are participating in this five-day tournament and the finals are slated to be held on 15th December.The Deputy Chief Minister said the Government has initiated a holistic programme in order to catalyze the sports activities in the State and the Center is also providing requisite funds for the same. He said funds amounting Rs. 200 crore have already been placed at the disposal of the State Government for upgrading the Sports infra by way of constructing new stadia, playgrounds in different areas of the State under the Prime Minister's Package.
Dr Singh said the youth of the state have tremendous potential to excel in sports which has been demonstrated by the recent achievements registered by our sportsperson both at National and International level. He said the need of the hour is to hone the latent talent of the youth by providing them the opportunities of competing with National and International players so that they can make a mark and bring laurels to the State.While referring to the initiatives being undertaken for upgrading and augmenting sports infra in the State, the Deputy Chief Minister said that several playgrounds have been constructed in the State and renovation work is also being carried out at others. He said that under Khelo India initiative of the Prime minister several new stadia including indoor ones are also coming up in different parts of the state.Minister of State for Youth Services and Sports, Sunil Kumar Sharma also spoke on the occasion and enumerated various initiatives being carried out in the sports sector and asked the youth to play a participatory role in the same by actively participating in the sports activities and tournaments. He said that the youth of the state have a tremendous potential which needs to be channelized in a proper direction.Commissioner/ Secretary Youth Service and Sports, Hilal Parray highlighted the activities being undertaken by the department in different sectors of the sports and related activities.A souvenir was also released on the occasion.