Sports Authority of India sanctions Rs 16 crore for sports infrastructure in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has sanctioned Rs 16.26 crore for infrastructure development of its centres across Kerala as part of plans to provide world class facilities to sportspersons.

Construction of paddling pool, modernaisation of cycle velodrome and boat-house in Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram districts would be given priority, SAI (Kerala Region) director G Kishore told a press meet here today.

"Construction of a paddling pool and modernisation of boat house will be the major works to be launched in our Water Sports Training Centre in Alappuzha under the project," he said.

"The Cycle velodrome at the Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education (LNCPE) in Karyavattom near here, the only one availbale in the state, will also be modernised with warmup track, pavillion, players gallery, media room and dope test facilities," he said.

Chhattisgarh Governor S H Shekhar Dutt, also the former director general of SAI, would inaugurate the modernisation project at the LNCPE campus on September 26.

The Sports Authority of India has six centres in the state where more than 2000 sports persons are being trained. It has also adopted 15 educational institutions in the state to impart advanced training in various sports activities.