The long-pending demand for a sports hostel in Madikeri turned a reality on Saturday. MLA Appachu Ranjan dedicated the facility, at the district stadium complex, to the young sporting talent in the district.

Addressing the gathering, Ranjan a former a minister of Sports and Youth Empowerment said, “The authorities should spot the sporting talent, nurture them and make them battle-ready for big stage competitions.”

.The MLA called upon the budding sportspersons to make use of the facilities and carve a niche for themselves at national and international level.

Ranjan said, there was a demand for sports hostel in Madikeri on the lines of Koodige and Ponnampet, which has been realised now.

The legislator said that, as a Sports minister he had sanctioned Rs 15 crore towards the development of sporting infrastructure in Kodagu district. An estimated Rs three crore was spent on building a swimming pool and indoor stadium, besides astroturfs were laid at Ponnampet and Somwarpet hockey stadiums.

Ranjan said, during his stint as sports minister, he made sincere efforts to introduce guidelines for sports awards in order to eliminate lobbying and other wrong means to get awards and ensure the deserving get rewards for their achievements and feats, he said.

International hockey player Arjun Halappa said “Youth should make the most of sporting infrastructure and opportunities available in the district”.

P E Kalaiah, one of the members of world cup winning Indian Hockey team, Assistant Director of Department of Sports and Youth Empowerment Jayalakshmi Bai among others were present.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS – Madikeri, July 10th, 2016