Anu Modi
Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal while addressing a Press Conference ahead of the fourth edition of 'Khelo India Youth Games-2021 said that an amount of around Rs. 250 crore has been spent to successfully host this grand sports festival.
"Out of the total amount, Rs. 139 crore have been spent on construction of new infrastructures along with revamping the old ones", said Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister informed that the fourth edition of 'Khelo India Youth Games-2021' will begin in the state on June 4 and would continue till June 13, 2022
"Khelo India Youth Games will play an important role in taking forward the Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi's dream mission" said Sh. Manohar Lal.
He also thanked Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sh. Anurag Thakur for giving Haryana this golden opportunity of hosting this sports festival.
"No stone would be left unturned to make the Central Government's flagship Khelo India programme a huge success," said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Union Home Minister to attend the opening ceremony
The Chief Minister informed that Union Home Minister, Sh. Amit Shah will be the Chief Guest at the opening ceremony of this grand sports festival which will start at 7:30 Pm on June 4, 2022.
"In view of the summer conditions, all competitions will be organized in the morning and evening only", said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Athletes to show their mettle for 545 gold, 545 silver and 776 bronze medals
The Chief Minister informed that in this sports festival, athletes will compete for a total of 545 gold, 45 silver and 776 bronze medals.
"We have got this golden opportunity of hosting these games and for this, all the necessary arrangements along with setting up the state of the art facilities have been made. Earlier also three editions of Khelo India have been organized but I assure you that this time because of the State's hospitality, both the players and spectators will remember this event for a long time," said Sh. Manohar Lal.
He also hoped that this time Haryana players would bag the first position by winning a maximum number of medals.
Minimum 3-star hotel accommodations for athletes
The Chief Minister said that the athletes will stay in 3-star hotels and high-quality nutritious food would be served to them. Besides this, adequate arrangements have been made for their safe and secure travelling from the hotel to the venue, he added.
"Signboards, advertisements, guide maps, etc have been installed at the venue to provide information about the sports grounds, competition programmes and other necessary information so that players and spectators have minute to minute information," said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Divulging the details about medical facilities, the Chief Minister said that a team of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists and ambulances have been arranged at each venue.
Around Rs 139 crore spent on sports infrastructure
The Chief Minister further informed that the State Government has constructed state of the art infrastructure for these games along with revamping the old ones.
The list of the newly constructed infrastructure includes the construction of A - Star Scientific Training and Rehabilitation Center at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, Panchkula for Rs. 9.95 crores. Besides this, an amount of Rs.15.23 crore has been spent on the revamping of the Synthetic Athletics track at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, he added.
The Chief Minister informed that an amount of Rs. 3.02 crore has been spent on the construction of a synthetic warm-up athletics track, elevated track and sand track at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex.
He informed that a new Hockey AstroTurf and Pavilion costing Rs. 20.44 crore has been constructed at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex.
"An amount of Rs. 27.87 crore has been spent on the construction of Basketball Multipurpose and Volleyball Multipurpose Halls at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex,", informed Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister said that the renovation of Badminton Hall at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex has been done at a cost of Rs.1.60 crore. Besides this, an amount of Rs.4.95 crore has been spent on the construction of the Boxing Hall at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex.
"Necessary repairs costing Rs. 2.25 crore have also been done at Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex. Also an amount of Rs. 12.37 crore has been spent on renovation and other necessary works of Shahabad Hockey Stadium", said Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister further informed that an amount of Rs. 38.68 crore has been spent on the construction of an all-weather swimming pool at War Heroes Memorial Stadium, Ambala. Besides this renovation of the Gymnastic Hall in this memorial has also been the one at Rs. 2.55 crore, said Sh. Manohar Lal.
For the first time, the Torch relay was organized across the state
The Chief Minister said that for the first time in the history of 'Khelo India', Haryana has organized a torch relay across the state.
"For the last four months, three mascots who have been touring the State on a dedicated vehicle named 'Raahgiri' and have remained the centre of attraction in the entire state," said Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister said that in the 'Khelo India Games', the Mascot of Haryana has been named 'Dhakad'. Just like the Jawan of Haryana is 'Dhakad', the farmer of Haryana is 'Dhakad' and the player of Haryana is 'Dhakad'.
"I am hopeful that our players will also perform in a 'Dhakad' manner in this sports festival", said Sh. Manohar Lal.
8500 players to participate
The Chief Minister said that around 8,500 athletes from 36 States and Union Territories, athletes, coaches and support staff from across the country will participate in these games.
"As many as 25 sports events will be organized at five venues namely Panchkula, Ambala, Shahabad, Chandigarh and Delhi," informed Sh. Manohar Lal.
He further informed that the 'Khelo India Youth Games-2021', is being jointly organized by the State Government and Sports Authority of India (SAI), Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports from June 4 to June 13, 2022.
Main venue to have seating arrangement of 7000 spectators
The Chief Minister further informed that Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex, Panchkula will be the main venue of these sports competitions. The venue has a seating arrangement for about 7,000 spectators.
He further informed that Archery and football competitions will be held at Panjab University, Chandigarh while swimming and gymnastics games will be held in Ambala. Hockey and cycling and shooting competitions will be held in Shahabad and Delhi, respectively.
Khelo India Youth Games-2021 to have five traditional sports
The Chief Minister said that for the first time, five traditional games like Gatka, Kalaripayattu, Thang-Ta, Malkhamb and Yogasana have also been included in this prestigious competition.
"I hope that the way Haryana has been acting as a guide for other states of the country, in the same way, the State by successfully organising these games will continue its legacy of becoming a role model for other States," said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Additional Chief Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs Department, Sh. Mahavir Singh, Advisor to Chief Minister, Sh. Yogendra Choudhry, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, and Director General, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Additional Principal Secretary -II to Chief Minister, Smt. Ashima Brar, Director, Sports, Sh. Pankaj Nain also remained present.