An integrated sports complex in Chennai at an estimated cost of Rs. 12 crore was among a host of measures to be taken by the State government in the field of sports.
The proposed complex would have courts for squash, badminton, volleyball and football. Besides, there would be an exclusive swimming pool for differently-abled, according to an official release issued on Wednesday.
On the direction of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, the allocation of Rs. 35.77 crore had been made for the various measures.
Trainees of sports hostels, being run by the government, would hereafter get dietary allowance of Rs. 250 a month instead of Rs. 75. This would cost Rs. 10.12 crore to the exchequer. Boys and girls attached to centres of excellence and special sports hostels of the government would be given Rs. 250 every month. A sum of Rs. 55.4 lakh had been set apart for this purpose. At present, depending upon the categories, the students were getting Rs. 150 and Rs. 90 a month.
Nearly 10 years had gone since the synthetic turf of the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Egmore, Chennai was re-laid. For the purpose of providing the new turf, a sum of Rs. 3.5 crore had been sanctioned.
Several district sports complexes were built about 15 years or 20 years ago. As they required renovation, the Chief Minister approved a grant of Rs. five crore for this purpose. The State would have three more centres of excellence in Srirangam, Tirunelveli and Erode at a cost of about Rs. 1.6 crore. Facilities for additional accommodation would be created in Chennai and Srirangam at a cost of Rs. three crore.
The Chief Minister also approved the sanction of Rs. 12 crore towards establishing a training academy for the National Cadet Corps in Idayapatti village of Madurai district.
