Shadow Correspondent
BASOHLI, FEB8-
Minister for Information Technology (IT), Technical Education & Youth Services and Sports, Moulvi Imran Raza Ansari today said the Government is keen to bring revolutionary reforms in sports arena of the State.
Addressing a mammoth gathering at Palai, Basohli in Kathua district after laying the foundation stone of Sports Stadium-cum-academy here, the Minister said that former Chief Minister Mufti Muhammad Sayeed had a great vision for developing the State into best sports destination.
Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Choudhary Lal Singh, Principal Chief Conservator Forests, J&K, AK Singh, Commissioner Secretary, Sports and Technical Education, Hilal Parray, Managing Director, State Forest Corporation, Suresh Gupta, Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, Ramesh Kumar, Senior Superintendent of Police, Kathua, Pawan Parihar, Secretary Sports Council, Jammu and Kashmir, Waheed Para, former MLA Basohli, Kanta Andotra among other Heads and senior functionaries of Forest and allied wings were present at stone-laying ceremony here.
Moulvi Ansari said the Government would transform the sports arena of the State, saying the department is keenly monitoring the sports developments in other States of the country. He said under the leadership of Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti, several developmental programmes hav\e been launched to uplift the sports arena of the State.
“Government has initiated various policies under which the sports infrastructure of the State will be developed as a major sports destination,” he said, amid applause from the gathering.
He said the Government is keen to involve the youth of the State in sports activities to boost their morale. He said various measures are underway to involve more and more youth in sports.
“Central Government has sanctioned an amount of Rs 200 crore for revival of sports infrastructure and activities in the State adding that the Government has decided to go in for a major upgrade of the existing sports infrastructure to make it at par with the best in the country,” he said.
The Minister said that it is the endeavors of the present Government to organize such events in order to channelize the energy of youth for constructive purposes. He urged the participants to spread the message of peace, communal harmony through the spirit of Sportsmanship.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Choudhary Lal Singh hailed the sports minister for choosing Basohli for sports development. He highlighted the measures taken for further improvement in the functioning of the sports department by the present Government. He said Government is committed to upgrade the basic infrastructure and the sports department must work for the overall development of all sports across all the regions by inculcating sportsmanship among them.
The Minister said that the talent among the youth of the State needs to be channelized in a proper direction. He said Government is committed to provide every help to the talented youth to show their ability.
Later, the Ministers visited the Government Model Higher Secondary School, Basohli where the dignitaries watched the cricket match and interacted with the sports persons.
