Kozhikode, Oct 25 Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Sunday said the UDF government accords high priority to sports and will implement a major package to boost the sector in the state.
Speaking after inaugurating the 68th State School Sports Meet at the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Kozhikode, Satheesan said sports could help combat the menace of drugs and that the proposed package would seek to protect children from the influence of narcotics.
He said other measures to promote sports included ensuring that students travelling outside the state to participate in competitions received travel allowances, dearness allowances and reimbursement of other expenses, irrespective of the cost to the government.
“I have told the Education and Sports ministers to ensure that these expenses are paid. We know that many students borrow money or their parents run from pillar to post to arrange funds, and that situation must end. They represent the pride of the state when they go outside to compete in events. They should not face any kind of shortage of funds,” he said.
The CM said those who won medals at international events were given a grand welcome at Thiruvananthapuram airport and cash prizes.
“This was not there earlier,” he said.
He said the government was moving ahead with its previously announced plan to build an international-standard football stadium in Kozhikode to cater to the Malabar region.
In addition, new playgrounds, stadiums and facilities for sporting events would be developed in all districts with full government support, Satheesan added.
He said these measures were being taken with an eye on the 2036 Olympics.
The week-long sports meet will be held on the newly renovated synthetic track and ground at NIT Kozhikode, which has been upgraded to international standards.
The trophy procession from Thiruvananthapuram and the torch relay from Kasaragod converged at Kozhikode Beach in the morning before passing through the city and reaching the main venue at NIT Kozhikode, where the opening ceremony was held.
(PTI News)
