Tuesday, 05 MARCH 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
Sixty mini stadiums have been built by the Youth Welfare department in the State to promote sportsmanship among young adults. Providing this information, deputy director of Youth Welfare and Prantiya Rakshak Dal (PRD), SK Jairaj said that in the year 2021, the government had directed that a total of about 95 mini stadiums should be constructed in the blocks of all districts. The process of creating these mini stadiums began in 2022 and as of 2023, the construction of 60 had been completed while 12 are still in progress, he said.
Jairaj further added that despite the initial goal being 74 mini stadiums by 2022 and 2023, certain challenges prevented the department from achieving this target. Nevertheless, he believes that the department’s efforts would result in completion of the construction of 95 mini-stadiums in the State this year.
Elaborating on the specifics of mini stadiums he said that mini stadiums are 100 feet long and 80 feet wide and require about two years for construction. Mini stadiums built in mountainous regions take longer to construct compared to those in plains, he said. He further said that Rs 10 crore had been approved recently in the State Assembly for constructing the remaining mini stadiums. Jairaj emphasised that nearly Rs one crore is needed for building one mini stadium, while mini stadiums in mountainous regions can sometimes require Rs three to four crore.
Commenting about the playgrounds in the government schools in the State, Jairaj expressed the department’s intention to enhance sportsmanship among children by constructing playgrounds in government schools. He highlighted the goal of nurturing future athletes who can represent the State in national and international games. The department plans to construct playgrounds in private schools also, he added.
