Kushalnagar
A foundation-laying ceremony was held for additional development works of an astroturf hockey field at Kudige Sports School in Kushalnagar, aimed at upgrading sports infrastructure for rural athletes. The project, estimated at a cost of Rs 3 crore, seeks to enhance training facilities and provide better opportunities for young sportspersons to compete at state and national levels.
The foundation stone was laid by Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda, who said that modern sports infrastructure is essential for nurturing talent from rural areas. He emphasized that students selected for sports schools should be given facilities that meet national standards, enabling them to showcase their abilities at higher competitive platforms.
He added that the state government, through the sports department, is committed to improving sports schools and upgrading playgrounds across the district. The MLA also assured that further funds would be brought in for the development of the district stadium and other sports infrastructure in the coming days.
Speaking on the occasion, Karnataka Sports Authority Vice President C.S. Arun Machayya highlighted the importance of well-developed sports facilities in improving the performance of students in sports schools. He said that upgrading stadiums and providing modern infrastructure would significantly encourage sports activities in the region.
He also suggested revising sports award certificates to make them more useful for athletes in securing employment opportunities. He noted that since there is already a 2% job reservation for sportspersons in the state, better recognition systems could further benefit their career prospects.
Officials, sports trainers, local representatives, and students were present at the ceremony, marking a collective effort to strengthen sports development in the region.