Jammu & Kashmir is set to get its first multi sports indoor complex at the M.A Stadium in its winter capital, Jammu. The infrastructure is expected to give a big boost to the growth of sports in the state.
The two-storied complex will have facilities for squash, gymnastics, wrestling, martial arts, badminton and basketball. The building will house four suites and 16 rooms apart from dormitories and changing rooms. The stadium will be built under the Urban Sports Infrastructure Development Scheme of the Indian government.
Minister for medical education and sports, R.S. Chib, said that the facility was expected to be completed within 18 months after an inspection of the proposed site on Friday.
The central government has released `6 crore for construction of the complex being raised over an area of over an acre. Some share of the cost will be shared by the state government as well.
“We are trying our bit to provide ample sports infrastructure besides ensuring growth of lesser known sporting disciplines having potential in the state”, the minister said Elaborating on the state government’s keenness to overhaul sporting facilities in the state.
Chib thanked the sports ministry for helping to revitalise and upgrade the infrastructure in the state.
He also said that their government was focusing on unearthing young talents as sports had the potential to foster positive social change besides improving health standards.