Mangalore: Plans afoot to build velodrome, cricket stadium - Abhaychandra Jain
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (MD)
Mangalore, Dec 31: Abhaychandra Jain, minister for fisheries and youth affairs and sports on Tuesday December 31 interacted with the media and outlined the development works being undertaken by the sports ministry.
President of Dakshina Kannada working journalists' union (DKWJU) P B Harish Rai welcomed Abhaychandra Jain.
Addressing the reporters, Jain said, "I never thought I would become a minister for youth affairs. Our chief minister gave me this post and I am very happy to work for it. There were many ministers waiting in the queue to get this post."
He further added, "I am doing my job honestly. After Congress came to power, our chief minister Siddaramaiah proposed many schemes while presenting the budget. Every minister hopes the best for his region. The funds reserved for the development of sports are being used for good causes. With this money we are laying synthetic tracks all over Karnataka. The state has more synthetic tracks than anywhere else in India.
"We are also building a velodrome, which is an arena for track cycling. The government had sanctioned Rs 5 crore for the project, but it was not sufficient. Hence an additional Rs 2 crore has been released and very soon we will start the project," he said. The velodrome is planned to be built in Bijapur.
"In Udupi district too we are in the process of building stadiums. Two years ago the BJP government had laid the foundation stone for a stadium there, but due to technical issues the work has not yet started. So this is also in our to-do list.
"In Alva's College, Moodbidri, we are providing all facilities to athletes, and that is why Alva's is one of the top institutions in India. In addition to this, we are building a youth empowerment centre and indoor stadiums in Alva's campus, for which the government has released Rs 15 crore," he said.
"We are trying our best to give cent percent support to athletes. Mangala stadium here had no proper gym for them to train. We rebuilt the gym. We are thus helping youngsters to shine in future," he added.
"My dream is to build an international cricket stadium in Mangalore. But we are searching for the right place and once we get the land, we will start the work very soon. We have already discussed this matter with the chief minister," Jain said.
Responding to a question on the Mulky incident of Monday December 30 wherein he was alleged to have tried to hit an auto driver when protestors surrounded him, he said "I was just doing my job. People of Mulky region requested to repair the road and I accepted it. But then the auto drivers started shouting slogans. I was ready to argue with them, but I did not hit anyone or fight."
He added "Those men were from BJP, and they said I fought with the auto drivers. If it is my fault I will accept it, but I did not commit any crime. I take pride in the work I am doing."
Srinivas Nayak Indaje, secretary, DKWJU was present.