Grants to sports associations raised by government: Himachal Chief Minister

Shimla, November 20, 2016: Chief Minister Shri Virbhadra Singh while presiding over the closing ceremony of T-20 cricket tournament for peace and unity, organised by HP Sports, Cultural and Environment Association today said that it was necessary to organise such tournament once a year, especially for those in politics to beat the stress which they face in their day to day life.
He said that grants to various sports associations in the State had been raised. The grant for State level Sports Associations and district level sports associations were being enhanced from time to time, he said, adding that the grant provided to the State level sports Association in category-A has been enhanced to Rs 1.25 lakh from Rs 1.00 lakh. In category-B, the grant has been enhanced to rupees one lakh from Rs 75,000 and in category it has been enhanced to Rs 75000 from Rs 50000. Similarly, the grant for District Sports Associations has also been enhanced to Rs 15000, Rs12000 and ? 8000 for category A, B and C respectively.
He said the State government was making sincere efforts to encourage and promote sports activities so that the potential and energy of the youth could be channelised for development and nation building.
Shri Virbhadra Singh said that such sport activities help in spreading goodwill and gives an opportunity to meet each other besides strengthening personal ties.
The final T-20 was played between Press XI and Board Chairmen XI. The Chief Minister was introduced to both the teams by President, HP Sports, Cultural and Environment Association Shri Vikramaditya Singh.
The two-day tournament was held between the teams of Chief Minister XI, Governor XI, Press XI and Board Chairmen XI in Pine Grove School in Kasauli Hills. The Chief Minister on arrival in the school was accorded warm welcome by the headmaster Capt. A.J. Singh. The children of the school also performed mesmerising dance and drama show based on the epic Mahabharata. The Chief Minister highly appreciated the presentation and lauded the efforts of the school for imbibing in children the sense of responsibility and belongingness for the ancient old traditions, customs and culture. He termed such cultural activities as an integral part of Indian Society and urged for preservation of it.
International Kabaddi player Shri Ajay Thakur who was also present was welcomed and honoured by HP Sports, Cultural and Environment Association. The Chief Minister also presented a cheque of Rs 51 thousand to Ajay Thakur on behalf of the Association.
The umpires for the tournament were SK. Bansal of International repute and National umpires, Raju Bagga and Amit Verma.
Industries Minister Shri Mukesh Agnihotri, Urban Development Minister Shri Sudhir Sharma, Chief Parliamentary Secretaries, MLAs, Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of various boards and corporations, Chief Secretary Shri VC Pharka, DGP Shri Sanjay Kumar and other senior Civil and Police officers were present on the occasion amongst others.