Jammu Tawi, Jan 15
Lieutenant Governor of J&K Union Territory, Mr. Girish Chandra Murmu today inaugurated the renovated Maulana Azad Cricket Stadium here today.
In his inaugural address, the Lt Governor congratulated the sports fraternity of J&K for having the international level sports facilities here at the newly inaugurated MA Cricket Stadium upgraded under the Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP).
“When the Development Package was prepared, I was fortunate enough to be a part of it, he said, adding that, around Rs 40 cr has been spent out of the Rs 200 cr earmarked for sports infrastructure and rest of the amount would be spent for developing sports facilities all over the UT. Apart from cricket, other sports like football, Hockey, Volleyball, and Athletics etc required attention and various projects were going on to develop facilities for the sports earlier played in the said stadium”, Murmu added.
He said that several Outdoor and Indoor sports are being played in, around M.A. Stadium and this facility has become a sporting hub for the youth, and sports loving people of Jammu with all modern sports equipment available there.
Administration is resolute to develop sports and allied infrastructure and promotion of sports at grass root level and for this, land is being identified at Panchayat level, the Lt Governor maintained.
The Lt Governor emphasized on the high importance of cooperation and participation of the people to lead the Union Territory of J&K marching ahead rapidly on the path of the development.
The UT Administration is committed to fulfilling the developmental aspirations of the people and Youth in particular to channelize the young energies in Nation Building, he added.
The Lt Governor expressed hope that the youth, sports persons and sports lovers gathered on this historic occasion would carry forward the spirit of universal harmony and brotherhood.
Meanwhile, the Lt Governor also spoke on the prevailing situation in the UT and while addressing the media persons, he informed that his Administration is taking a regular assessment of the current situation and the internet restrictions would be lifted in a phased manner after assessing the situation on regular basis.
While speaking on the occasion, Sh. Farooq Khan, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor said that the new international level stadium would give a great push to the development of sports in J&K. He said that the Administration is making dedicated efforts to create new sports facilities at various levels and hoped that with the coming of facilities of international standards, the sports in J&K would emerge as a power house in the national and international arena.
In his welcome address, Sh. Sarmad Hafeez, Special Secretary, Youth Services and Sports informed that the facility has been upgraded as per Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) norms and the Stadium would be an ideal one in accordance to promote sports in J&K.
The new stadium developed exclusively for Cricket activities will have the international standards sports facilities like high tower flood lights, enhanced pavilion and sitting arrangements.
On the occasion, the Lt Governor interacted with the sports persons and also awarded the winner and runner-up teams of Panchayat Level Football Cup.
Demonstration of sports activities like Wushu, Judo and Yoga was presented by the young sports persons and an exhibition cricket match was also played to mark the formal opening of the MA Cricket Stadium.
