KOLLAM: Sports Minister M.Vijayakumar has said that the Planning Commission has recommended Rs 110 crore for the development of sports infrastructure in the state.
Inaugurating the meeting to constitute the organising committee for the National Games 2010 here on Sunday, the Minister said that the state had demanded Rs 220 crore for the same. In the current fiscal year Rs 90 crore will be spent for infrastructure development and Rs 235 crore will be spent for long-term projects. The government has planned comprehensive development of sports during the 11th Five Year Plan. Introduction of sports facilities at panchayat level and the introduction of sports as part of curriculum at school level have been planned in this regard, the Minister said.
The Minister said that the National Games in 2010 would be held as a prelude to the Common Wealth Games. Unlike in the past, this time the National Games will be held at 7 venues of the state instead of a single venue. The State Government has got sanction for the same.
By holding the Games at different venues, the government is planning to develop sports infrastructure in all these places, he said.
In Kollam, a hockey stadium of international standards, an indoor
stadium and a swimming pool would be constructed and synthetic track would be laid at the Lal Bahadur stadium with the assistance of the Sports Authority of India.
By developing sports infrastructure, the government is aiming to host the Asian Games. As a prelude to the National Games, a Kerala Games will also be held, the Minister said.
Four events in Kollam: Hockey, Handball, Beach Handball and Rugby - 7 for both men and women are the four events to be held in Kollam as part of the National Games.
A 1,001-member committee with Water Resources Minister N.K.Premachandran as chairman and District Collector as general convener has been constituted for the conduct of the National Games.