Minister for Youth Services and Sports Appachu Ranjan said on Tuesday that he would release Rs. 2 crore in 15 days for the construction of a swimming pool near the District Indoor Stadium here.
He was inaugurating the 21-day residential State-level badminton training camp for select 45 students, here. The camp was organised by the Department of Youth Services and Sports, the Karnataka Badminton Association, and the Udupi District Badminton Association. Mr. Ranjan said that the cost of construction of the swimming pool was estimated at Rs. 3.5 crore. He wanted the proposed swimming pool to meet international standards.
He refused to release money to build synthetic track at the District Stadium, for which Rs. 4 crore was required. All the districts should have good indoor and outdoor stadiums. The State government was thinking of encouraging sports and sportspersons as was being done in China, Mr. Ranjan said.
K. Raghupati Bhat, MLA, said a permanent badminton coaching centre would be started at the District Indoor Stadium here on November 5. He urged Mr. Ranjan to tie up funds with the help of other departments and provide Rs. 4 crore for the synthetic track.
Ramakrishna, Assistant Director of Department of Youth Services and Sports, welcomed the gathering. Deputy Director of Department of Youth Services and Sports Subashchandra, and Badminton coach Roshan Lal were present.
