Tripura committed to upgrading sports infrastructure to international standards: CM Saha

Agartala, Aug 30 (IANS) Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha has said that the state government is committed to taking the state’s sports infrastructure to international standards while providing better training, facilities and financial assistance to talented sportspersons.

The Chief Minister also added on Saturday that the state government is laying special emphasis on promoting sports to help build a healthy, disciplined and drug-free society.

Chief Minister Saha said this while addressing an event organised at the Dashratha Deb State Sports Complex at Badharghat here on the occasion of National Sports Day.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister unveiled a statue of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand.

Chief Minister Saha said that Tripura’s sports infrastructure is increasingly becoming an example not only for the Northeastern region but also for the rest of the country.

“The state government is committed to providing world-class facilities to the state’s players and building a healthy and drug-free society. The present government is not looking at sports merely as a matter of competition, but also as one of the most important means of ensuring the physical and mental development, discipline and future of the youth,” he added.

Highlighting the significance of National Sports Day, observed on the birth anniversary of hockey wizard Major Dhyan Chand, the Chief Minister paid tribute to the sporting legend.

Recalling the life and achievements of Major Dhyan Chand, CM Saha said that despite limited facilities during his time, the hockey wizard brought glory to India on the global sporting stage through hard work, perseverance and dedication.

The Chief Minister added that the state government has attached special importance to recognising and honouring meritorious sportspersons and sports personalities of the state.

“To commemorate their contributions, various sports infrastructure and facilities are also being named after eminent sportspersons,” he said.

Chief Minister Saha added that the synthetic athletic track at Badharghat has been named after renowned athlete Debabhakti Jamatia, while the hockey ground has been named after noted coach Swadeshpriya Nandi.

A sports field at Khowai has been named after Pratul Bhattacharya, while the synthetic track at Panisagar has been named after national athletics coach Arunabha Roy, he said.

The indoor hall at Dharmanagar has been named after badminton player Gauri Shekhar Roy, while the sports hostel at Ambassa has been named after gymnast Madhusudan Saha.

The Chief Minister said that the present Bharatiya Janata Party-led state government’s approach is to recognise and judge sportspersons on the basis of their achievements and contributions rather than political considerations.

Highlighting various initiatives to strengthen sports infrastructure, CM Saha said that several synthetic football turfs have already been constructed in different parts of the state.

“Modern floodlights have been installed at the Umakanta Academy ground. Work is underway to construct an international-standard cricket stadium at Narsinghgarh. Plans have also been taken to construct a gallery with a seating capacity of around 30,000 at Badharghat,” he added.

“Besides, work is underway to construct modern sports hostels and youth hostels at Badharghat, Kailashahar and Udaipur,” the Chief Minister said.

Referring to financial support for sportspersons, CM Saha said that the state government has introduced financial awards to encourage players who achieve success at national and international competitions.

He added that sports are not merely a form of physical exercise but also play an important role in shaping an individual’s mind, character and sense of discipline.

The Chief Minister urged the younger generation to stay away from drugs, cultivate the habit of reading books and actively participate in sports and other constructive activities.

Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Tinku Roy, Major Dhyan Chand’s son and Olympian and Arjuna Awardee Ashok Kumar Singh, MLA Mina Rani Sarkar, Arjuna Awardee gymnast Montu Debnath, Youth Affairs and Sports Department Secretary Tapas Roy, Director of Sports L. Darlong, and other dignitaries were present at the programme.

–IANS

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