Jayalalithaa allots Rs 36 crore for sports infra
Chennai: Giving a major boost to the morale of young sportspersons in the state, chief minister Jayalalithaa has allocated a sum of Rs 35.77 crore towards the development of various sports centres across the state including raising the funds allocated for meals and dietary supplements for top sportspersons trained by the state, a release said.
The Integrated Sports Complex, located at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, that was recently inaugurated by the chief minister, following renovation work, will get more facilities in the form of squash courts, indoor badminton courts, volley ball courts and a special hydrotherapy swimming pool for training differently abled sportspersons in the state.
The state government has released Rs 12 crore towards work on this integrated sports complex.
Sportspersons from the state who participate in international and national level sports meets and are being trained to represent the state currently receive a sum of Rs 75 a day.
This sum has now been raised to Rs 250 a day at a cost of Rs 10.12 crore to the state. “These funds have been increased mainly to help our sportsmen and women get all the necessary supplements and quality food to be able to prepare better,” state officials said in a release.
A similar raise will also be in effect for the meal plans of all the young boys and girls who are training at the primary training centres in the state.
“At present, the young sportspersons are receiving Rs 150 a day for their meals. This amount would also be raised to Rs 250 a day. College students who are training for various sports activities who are presently receiving Rs 90 a day will also get Rs 250 a day,” a release said.
Besides, three Centres of Excellence in Sports would also be set up at Srirangam Tirunelveli and Erode for budding sportspersons in the state, the release added.