Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Alkod Hanumanthappa on Friday said the government has released Rs 25 crore this year for the construction of stadiums at the taluk headquarters.
Speaking to reporters here on Friday, Mr Alkod, who inspected works at Sri Chandrashekar Patil Stadium here, said the amount is specifically for the construction of new stadiums. “Moreover, extra funds would be released for completion of 60 stadiums which are incomplete in the State," he said.
He also said Rs 1.30 crore has been released for the district-level stadium at Haveri and Rs 80 lakh for the construction of a swimming pool in Raichur. “An international-level swimming pool will come up in Gulbarga at a cost of Rs 1.82 crore,” he said.
Mr Alkod said the State-level Olympic sport meets were so far being held only in Bangalore. However, he said in a major policy decision, the government has now decided to hold such meets in the districts.
Such a meet will be held in Raichur this year and Rs 1.76 crore earmarked for the same. “The decision regarding dates and who will be participating would be taken at a high-level meeting to be held with sports associations and officials in the next 8-10 days," he added.
On the shortage of coaches, he said this was due to the low salaries being paid to them. They were being paid low salaries as pay scales had not been fixed for them as they had no cadre & recruitment (C&R) rules.
He said the C&R rules for coaches and other personnel in the sports department would be framed shortly. Only after that can the requisite number of coaches be appointed, he said.
Mr Alkod also said the department will set up 23 new sports hostels in various districts