Vijayapura: Admitting that the works of the Velodrome project have got delayed inordinately because of the incompetent contractors, Minister for Sports and Youth Service, K. C. Nayaranagowda has said that efforts would be made to complete the project within the next six months.
Speaking after inaugurating several sports facilities such as synthetic track, volleyball court, and indoor swimming pool at B. R. Ambedkar District Stadium on Monday, he directed the officials to work out a plan for completing the project.
“ I want the DC and the officials to visit Bengaluru for discussion for finalizing the project. We will take a final call on how best the project can be completed within a time frame without demolishing the present structure”, he said.
The Minister said that already the project has been too much of delay because of incompetent contractors taking up the project would not do it as per the requirement.
He said that if needed experts from other States would be brought for the guidance for completion of the project.
With regard to the Khelo India event, he claimed that the Central Government has been contemplating holding the event in Karnataka this time as it has found the State suitable and having required sports facilities.
During the program, Bijapur District Cycling Association president, Raju Biradar submitted a memorandum to the Minister urging him to ensure that at least a five-kilometer-long dedicated lane is given on a particular highway for the cyclists to practice.
He said that in the absence of which, at least three cyclists have lost their lives and several others have sustained injuries while practicing on the highway.
Deputy Commissioner, P. Sunil Kumar, who was also present, assured to take a decision on it.
However, during the program, several veteran members of the athletic association created an uproar in the presence of the Minister, accusing the Sports Department of neglecting them.
S. S. Hiremath, the senior member said that while people associated with athletics have been neglected and not invited to the program, those who have nothing to do with sports have been invited.
ZP President Sujata Kallimani, BJP Leader, Vijugouda Patil, and others were present.
Minister for Sports, K. C. Narayanagowda made several mistakes while addressing the gathering at the inauguration of sports facilities here.
Instead of mentioning ‘Velodrome’, he said ‘Aerodrome’ ( Velodrome is an indoor facility for cyclists) while talking about the project.
Continuing more mistakes, he claimed that Karnataka has been chosen to hold Olympic sports. He even went ahead to claim that central government officials who have visited Karnataka have found it suitable for the event.
To have confirmation about what he said, the media persons later asked him after the end of the event, when Karnataka was selected for Olympics, the Minister then corrected his mistake by saying that it was not Olympic but Khelo India.
Photo Courtesy: Firoz Rozindar
