Mangaluru: State Minister for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment and Sports Pramod Madhwaraj, on March 22, laid the foundation stone for the International Shuttle Badminton, Kabaddi Indoor Stadium at Urwa Market and an outdoor playground at Yekkur here.
Before laying the foundation, the minister also inaugurated the fish-boat berthing jetty constructed at a cost of Rs 5 Crore at Sulthan Batthery.
Addressing the gathering at the event, he said, “The state government has approved a new sports policy in recent the Cabinet meeting. This sports policy aims to encourage students to take up sports. There are provisions in the policy to compensate students with attendance and grace marks for their sports activities.”
“As per the policy, a 2 percent reservation in government jobs will be provided to sports persons. The policy has special provision that if the sports students face conflict between examination and sports meet, they can chose sports. For such students the educational institutions should conduct a special examination”, he added.
Madhwaraj also said that the sports department had appointed a five member Technical Advisory Committee to check the quality of construction of the stadiums and to avoid sub standard work and malfunction.
The Siddaramaiah-led state government has increased the annual budget for sports from Rs 145 Crore to Rs 285 Crore.
Minister also lauded MLA J R Lobo for his initiative for developing sports facilities in Mangaluru city.
Mayor Bhaskar K Moily and others were present on the occasion.
