Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 19: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today said that the State Government is keen to upgrade and enhance sports facilities in urban and rural areas so that the talent in different sports is harnessed and groomed to the highest standards.
“We intend to develop facilities of international standards at the sports stadia in Srinagar and Jammu and this matter has been discussed with Union Finance Minister, Arun Jaitley during his recent visit to the valley. We have urged for the liberal Central help in this regard”, he told the media at the sidelines of Sher-i-Kashmir Sports Award Investiture Ceremony organized by J&K State Sports Council at SKICC here.
Omar Abdullah said that while various steps have been taken to create new sports infrastructure in both rural and urban areas, other measures aimed at nurturing youth in different sports is also under active focus of the Government. He said that up to the mark sports facilities and infrastructure is imperative to develop sports and sports persons. “We are devoting fullest attention towards this goal”, he said adding that a comprehensive sports policy will also be framed to help catapult sports of all categories holistically.
In today’s investiture function, the Chief Minister gave away awards to 20 outstanding sports persons for participating in the International events and earning medals and showing their excellence during the years 2010-11 and 2011-12. The Sher-i-Kashmir Awards are conferred upon 10 outstanding sports persons in each year.
Minister for Sports and Culture, Raman Bhalla, Minister of State for Sports, Feroz Ahmed Khan, Secretary Sports Council, Daleep Thusoo and a large number of sports persons and sports lovers were present on the occasion.
Those who were conferred awards and cash prizes including: Atul Pangotra in Taekwondo, Ishfaq Hussain in Kayaking & Canoeing, Arjun Gandotra in Roller Skating, Mohammad Saud Bhat in Taekwondo, Devinder Pal Singh in Roller Skating, Phungsog Yangdon in Skiing, Major Vikram Singh Jamwal in Fencing, Masooda Akhtar in Skiing, Brinder Singh Manhas in Taekwondo, Arjun Gupta in Taekwondo, Kapil Pangotra in Taekwondo, Adil Mohi-ud-Din Bhat in Kayaking and Canoeing, Harish Kumar in Power Lifting, Preet Dutta in Power Lifting, Yasmeena Akhtar in Skiing, Arushi Kotwal in Chess, Shaurya Bali in Equestrian, Arun Singh Charak in Wushu, Lalit Singh in Wushu and Zaheer Abbas Khan in Taekwondo.
These sports persons have participated in International events in the years 2010-11 and 2011-12 winning gold, silver, bronze and other medals. Under the Sher-i-Kashmir Sports Award, 10 outstanding sports persons are awarded for participating in the international competitions in games and sports recognized by International and Asian Sports Federations and Government of India Sports Boards. It carries a cash prize ranging from Rs.20,000 to Rs.30,000 per sport person besides a certificate and citation at the Investiture Ceremony.
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