Dharamsala of Himachal being developed as sports city: Anurag Thakur

Dharamsala, March 15, 2022: Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur said that Dharamsala of Himachal is being developed as a sports city. He added that Himachal has also got a new identity all over the world because of the cricket stadium of Dharamsala.
 
Minister was speaking to the public after inaugurating the Khelo India Residential Academy of Weightlifting and Table Tennis at Rainbow School, Nagrota Bagwan in Kangra district on Tuesday. He said that residential sports academies would be opened at different levels across the country.  He said that guidelines have also been given to develop sports grounds in different districts of Himachal, for this every effort would be made by the Central Government to provide basic facilities.

Anurag Thakur said, “To encourage sportspersons in the country, the budget of Khelo India campaign has been increased by 32.5%, so that the players of India can perform better in world-class events like Olympics. Special emphasis is being laid on developing infrastructure for sports at the village level as well for training of excellent players.”

Anurag Thakur said that help is also being provided by the government for organizing competitions from block level to district level, state level and national level so that talent can get an opportunity to progress through these competitions.

Anurag Thakur said that MP Khel Mahakumbh was from Hamirpur parliamentary constituency of HP in which thousands of players participated in various competitions. He said that on the same lines, now Khel Mahakumbh is being organized by the MPs of other states of the country. 

He said, “Sports are very important for the all-round development of the youth. To keep the youth away from drugs, it will be necessary to motivate them towards the play grounds. Instructions have been given to provide  special emphasis on sports in schools so that the young generation can move in the right direction.”

Various dignitaries including Indian Weightlifting Federation President Sahdev Yadav, Regional Director Sai PK Mathu, Table Tennis Federation of India Joint Secretary Yashpal Rana were present on the occasion.