Sadananda Gowda outlines game plan for sports

Chief minister DV Sadananda Gowda on Saturday pledged more financial and administrative support to develop sports infrastructure in Karnataka, in addition to fresh financial outlay for developing the existing sport facilities.

Inaugurating the full-fledged indoor sports pavilion, which was built at a cost of Rs3 crore, Gowda said, “My dream is to have such a magnificent facility in every taluk. For now, we will begin with 16 taluks. The government has also decided to go for a synthetic, 400-metre athletic track in four districts, including Mangalore, Udupi, Haveri, and Hosadurga. Udupi will also get a swimming pool like the one used in Olympics.

This will be constructed at a cost of Rs3 crore. The government has passed Rs40 crore for developing sports infrastructure in the state, for fiscal year 2011-12.”

Gowda also pointed out that the government has rewarded Rs1.9 crore to 33 athletes for their outstanding performance in Commonwealth and Asian Games.

Gowda inaugurated the sports facility by playing a game of badminton with national champions Anup Sridhar and U Vimal Kumar.