Sports budget to focus on rural talent

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: In the state budget presented on Friday in the Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai announced schemes for the sports sector. He mentioned that a separate fund of Rs 50 crore has been allotted for the Karnataka Olympic Dream Project. This will help international-level athletes to train with the highest quality of training and equipment. This practice will encourage sportspeople to win international competitions.

Young and talented athletes between the ages of 12 to 19 will benefit most from this programme. He also announced that well-equipped sports science centres have been recently established at the Kanteerava Stadium followed by stadiums in the districts of Mandya and Udupi.

It was also announced that suitable facilities for special individuals and women will be provided at these stadiums. Action towards building a comprehensive facility will continue in taluks. A grant of Rs 100 crore is dedicated to this activity. A grant of up to Rs 25 lakh with incentives can be given to registered private sports organisations that produce international-level athletes.

More volleyball and basketball courts will be constructed across the state. In order to promote rural sports like khokho, wrestling, kabaddi and bullock cart race, the state government has decided to provide a well-equipped facility with the enabling of necessary equipment and infrastructure.

A grant of Rs 5 crore is kept aside for this under the NREGA scheme. This will be carried out across the state. To encourage more youth, the best five individuals will receive the Swami Vivekananda Youth Award.