Taj lays foundation of first of its kind Rs. 18 Cr project of Indoor stadium, Bla

SHAMIM AHMED :-JULY 10:- Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services & Sports, Mr. Taj Mohi ud Din today laid the foundation of an ultra modern indoor stadium here today.The indoor stadium would be first of its kind in the State, given the facilities and amenities proposed and it would be completed within a span of 18 months. It would be built at a cost of Rs. 18 crore in two phases, out of which Rs. Six crore have already been released.Minister for Higher Education, Muhammad Akbar Lone, former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA, Baramulla, Muzaffar Hussain Baig were present on the occasion.The stadium would have courts and rings for playing all the indoor games, spectators’ lounges, change rooms and other facilities. It would also be equipped with latest gadgetry and sports material. Addressing the gathering after laying the foundation stone, Mr. Taj said Government intends to upgrade and equip sports infrastructure in the State. He said Government has devised an action plan under which every block would be provided a sports complex and every panchayat would have a sports field.The Minister asked the public representatives to identify land in their respective areas so that the same would be developed as sports fields. He said Government intends to develop indoor stadia  across the Valley because for most of the year it remains in the grip of cold climate. The aim is to encourage sporting activity for youth throughout year,  he said. He thanked Minister for Higher Education, Mr. Muhammad Akbar Lone for donating piece of land of Degree College (Boys) Baramulla for construction of the indoor stadiumSpeaking on the occasion, Mr. Lone hoped that the stadium would be  a unique one in whole of the State. He said the present Government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is keen to develop the State on modern lines and make it an exemplary state.The Minister hoped that similar sports complexes would be developed at other District headquarters as well and for this he suggested that the  matter may be taken up at the earliest.Earlier, former Deputy Chief Minister and MLA, Baramulla, Muzaffar Hussain Baig complimented both the Ministers for choosing Baramulla for developing a state of the art indoor stadium. He asked students and youth to utilize their potential and make themselves better citizens of tomorrow. He said sports inculcate discipline, dedication and selflessness among youth which eventually help in creating a better persona in a human being.Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, G. A. Khawaja, DIG, North, J. P. Singh, Secretary, J&K State Sports Council, Dileep Thusu, S. P. Baramulla, Zubair Khan, senior army officers, former legislator, Haji Rasheed, Director, Colleges, Prof. Nalini Kohli, Principal, Degree College (Boys), Baramulla, Prof. Irshad Ahmad Wani and officers of District administration were present on the occasion.