Sport - Sports : General

Rs. 19.42 cr for sports and games

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An outlay of Rs. 19.42 crore has been earmarked for sports and games activities in the State budget for 2008-09 presented by the Finance Minister, T. M. Thomas Isaac in the Kerala Assembly on Thursday.

Presenting the third budget of the current LDF regime, the Minister also announced a slew of schemes including the construction of three new stadiums in Nedunkandam (Idukki district), Moovattupuzha (Ernakulam district) and Alappuzha. Each of these new projects will receive financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 1 crore during the next fiscal.

The Kerala State Sports Council will receive Rs. 9 crore under Plan schemes and an additional Rs. 4.25 crore to meet its non-Plan expenditure. Rs. 25 lakh each would be given to the G.V. Raja Sports School in Thiruvananthapuram and to the Kerala Race Boat and Amateur Rowing Association for the purchase of modern racing boats and rowing oars.

Mr. Isaac also extended a helping hand to the Usha School of Athletics (being promoted by former sprint queen, P.T. Usha) for a third consecutive year. The allotment to the School this time around would be Rs. 20 lakh. An equal amount would be the Government’s contribution for the successful conduct of the ongoing South Asian athletic championship in Kochi.

The Minister also announced that Rs. 25 lakh would be set apart for the establishment of a museum and circus academy in Thalassery. Likewise, Rs. 10 lakh would be provided for the martial arts academy in Vadakara (Kozhikode district).

Mr. Isaac also said that the Total Efficiency and Operation Olympia projects and the Insurance scheme for sportspersons would be implemented during the next financial year.

The budgetary documents also reveal that Rs. 2.75 crore would be provided to the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs and Rs. 69.19 lakh for physical education, besides the general outlay set apart for sports and games activities in the State.

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