District-Level State Government Employees Sports Meet Held

Synthetic Athletic Track to Be Built at Rs. 9 Crore: MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda

Madikeri MLA Dr. Mantar Gowda has announced that the State Government has approved the construction of a synthetic athletic track at the General Thimmaiah District Stadium at an estimated cost of Rs. 9 crore, of which Rs. 20 lakh has already been released. He was speaking after inaugurating the Kodagu District-Level State Government Employees Sports Meet and Cultural Competition held at the stadium under the joint auspices of the District Administration, Zilla Panchayat, Youth Empowerment and Sports Department and the State Government Employees Association, Kodagu. 

The MLA further informed that approval has also been accorded for the construction of a mini semi-indoor synthetic basketball court at the district stadium at a cost of Rs. 1.50 crore, and Rs. 20 lakh has already been released for the project. He said the government has been extending significant encouragement to sports in Kodagu district, which is known as a hub of sporting talent across disciplines, and urged sportspersons to achieve higher goals and bring laurels to the district.

Dr. Mantar Gowda also said that land has been identified for the construction of a State Government Employees’ building and that funds would be provided either through the Chief Minister’s special grant or the MLA’s fund. He added that the groundbreaking ceremony would be conducted within the year and advised the district unit of the State Government Employees Association to prepare and submit a detailed blueprint and cost estimate for the project.

Highlighting the importance of health, the MLA noted that government employees work under constant pressure and said that regular physical activity such as walking and running would help them maintain both physical and mental well-being, enabling them to perform their duties more effectively. He emphasized that good health is a valuable asset and encouraged employees to actively participate in sports.

Speaking on the occasion, President of the District State Government Employees Association M.C. Arun Kumar said that, as in previous years, sports and cultural competitions for state government employees were being organized this year as well. He noted that outstanding state government employees are honoured at the district level and appealed for the continuation of this practice. He also requested elected representatives to allocate additional funds for the construction of government employees’ buildings, stating that adequate space is available for the purpose.

Assistant Commissioner Nitin Chakki, Assistant Director of the Youth Empowerment and Sports Department V.T. Vismayi, Association Director S. Honnegouda, District Secretary B.G. Sandeep, District Treasurer P.D. Rajesh, State Council Member P.M. Babu, Taluk Unit Presidents Pradeep and K.M. Thimmaiah, District Working President Mohan Peraje, Honorary President Shammi S.T., and others were present. Sportspersons who had excelled in various disciplines, including hockey, were felicitated on the occasion.

The Lahari team rendered the invocation, P.T. Poornesh carried the sports torch, Anita compered the programme and Srikanth welcomed the gathering.