Union Ministers lay foundation stone for Rs 14-cr indoor sports complex in Karnataka's Mandya
Mandya (Karnataka) (PTI): Union Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya and H D Kumaraswamy on Saturday laid the foundation stone for a Rs 14-crore multi-purpose indoor sports complex sanctioned for Mandya under the Centre's Khelo India scheme.
The new facility is coming up within the campus of the University of Agricultural Sciences at VC Farm in Mandya.
After taking part in the bhoomi pooja for the indoor stadium, the ministers were welcomed with a massive garland made of jaggery, a specialty of Mandya.
Kumaraswamy explained to Mandaviya the significance and reputation of Mandya's jaggery, which is widely known for its quality.
According to an official statement, while laying the foundation stone, the two ministers called upon the youth of the district to strengthen sports culture in Mandya in line with the slogan 'Khelo India! Vibrant Mandya!', and to produce more champions from the region.
Addressing the gathering, Union Sports Minister Mandaviya said that the 'Khelo India initiative' is a national programme launched by the Centre to revive sports culture at the grassroots level and transform India into a leading sporting nation.
He said that the establishment of this well-equipped sports complex in Mandya had been made possible through the efforts of his Cabinet colleague and NDA leader Kumaraswamy.
Addressing Union Heavy Industries and Steel Minister Kumaraswamy, Mandaviya said that the affection shown by the people reflects the work he has done for them.
He also appreciated Kumaraswamy's compassion and commitment toward persons with disabilities.
Mandaviya said that he had personally witnessed Kumaraswamy's concern for the specially-abled and described the initiative of distributing electric vehicles as highly commendable.
He noted that such efforts not only help persons with disabilities in their daily lives but also contribute positively to environmental protection.
Mandaviya further said that Mandya has produced several sportspersons who have brought recognition not only to the state but also to the country at national and international levels.
He recalled athletes such as Vikas Gowda and K P Shilpa, who had enhanced the reputation of Mandya.
In particular, he highlighted wheelchair tennis player Shilpa, who is currently India's number-one player and has been bringing glory to the country both nationally and internationally.
Expressing hope, he said that many more talented sportspersons should emerge from Mandya in the coming years.
The union minister also stated that the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has worked extensively over the past eleven years to strengthen the sports ecosystem in India.
In the latest Union Budget, Rs 4,000 crore has been allocated to strengthen sports infrastructure, compared to Rs 1,200 crore a decade ago, effectively increasing the allocation more than threefold.
Following the programme, electric vehicles were distributed to 388 persons with disabilities.
The vehicles were provided under the CSR initiatives of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Kumarswamy's office said in the statement.
Additionally, 500 desktops and 100 laptops donated by Infosys were handed over to government schools. A state-of-the-art ambulance donated under the CSR initiative of the Hinduja Group was also presented to the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS), it said.
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RCB beat MI by 18 runs after batters fire
Mumbai (PTI): Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper Rajat Patidar, Phil Salt and Virat Kohli blasted half-centuries as the defending champions beat Mumbai Indians by 18 runs in an Indian Premier League match here on Sunday.
Salt (78 off 36 balls) and Kohli (50 off 38 balls) stitched together a 120-run stand for the opening wicket before Patidar scored a rapid 53 off just 20 balls as RCB posted 240 for 4.
In response, Mumbai Indians were restricted to 222 for 5, with RCB spinner Suyash Sharma (2/47) putting the skids on the home side with a double strike in the eighth over, from which they could not recover.
Sherfane Rutherford top-scored for MI with an unbeaten 71 off 31 balls.
While opener Rohit Sharma appeared to be struggling with a hamstring issue and had to retire hurt on 19, his partner Ryan Rickelton made 37, while Suryakumar Yadav (33) and Hardik Pandya (40) were the other contributors for MI.
Brief scores:
Royal Challengers Bengaluru 240 for 4 in 20 overs (Phil Salt 78, Virat Kohli 50, Rajat Patidar 53, Tim David 35 not out).
Mumbai Indians: 222 for 5 in 20 overs (Sherfane Rutherford 71 not out, Ryan Rickelton 37, Hardik Pandya 40; Suyash Sharma 2/47).
