Date:17/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/17/stories/2007121752730300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Indoor stadium, sports hostel for Tiruvannamalai

Special Correspondent

Coming up at the cost of Rs. 1.5 crore, Rs. 85 lakh: Collector

Swimming pool coming up at
district sports complex
National tournament may be held here
in 2007-2008

TIRUVANNAMALAI: The Tamil Nadu government has sanctioned an indoor stadium at the cost of Rs.1.5 crore and a sports hostel at the cost of Rs.85 lakh for Tiruvannamalai. The work would begin soon, according to Collector Satyabrata Sahoo.

Mini stadium

Inaugurating a State-level inter-school volleyball tournament organised by the Sports Authority of India and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu in the district sports complex here on Saturday, Mr. Sahoo said that the work on the establishment of a mini stadium in Thenmudiyanur in Thandrambattu taluk was currently in progress.

The district sports complex, established at the cost of Rs.90 lakh, is a multi-purpose sports complex with facilities to conduct tennis, volleyball, football, basketball, table tennis, long jump, high jump, and 100-metre and 400-metre running events. Besides, a swimming pool is being established in the sports complex at the cost of Rs.66 lakh.

The sports facilities have been created by the State government to encourage the students to develop their sporting talent and excel in their respective fields.

Identifying talent

The government has come up with a scheme to identify sports skills of students at the school-level and train them in their chosen fields in order to enable them to participate in district-level, State-level, national and international events and win laurels , Mr. Sahoo said.

Second State-level meet

This is the second State-level tournament being conducted in the district sports complex after its establishment. Based on the success of the State-level tournaments, a national tournament is to be held in 2007-2008.

He called upon the players of Tiruvannamalai district to participate in the national football, table tennis, volleyball and weightlifting tournaments to be held in Kerala from December 24 to 27 and the national running, shuttle, basketball and hockey tournaments to be held in Orissa from January 5 to 8.

Anu George, Additional Collector, District Rural Development Agency, Tiruvannamalai, inaugurated the girls’ events.

Girls from 30 districts participate

She said that players from 30 districts were participating in the tournament. She administered an AIDS awareness pledge to the players.

K. Pugazhendhi, District Sports Officer, welcomed the gathering. A. Munusamy, volleyball coach, proposed vote of thanks.