Call it an election gimmick or encouragement to sports, people of State will decide the fate of the candidates on the day of election. But, for now, the announcement by Chief Minister Siddharamaiah to make Mysuru a aero sports and aqua sports hub has brought smiles on adventure sports enthusiasts.

While, announcing the budget, CM Siddharamaiah announced grant of Rs. 5 crore for aqua sports centre at Varuna Lake located in the outskirts of the city under the PPP model.

He has also announced to develop aero sports centre in Mysuru for which Rs. 5 crore has been reserved. These have came after the Department of Tourism, Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports had sent a joint proposal for the same.

The Minister of Civil Aviation has considered Mandakalli Airport as the Safe Drop Zone. This has prompted skydiving enthusiasts to try the adventure sports at the Mandakalli Airport. The department is planning to offer paramotoring, paragliding and parasailing in Mysuru.

The aqua sports will also get a boost with State Government announcing to start and aqua sports centre at Varuna Lake where aqua adventure sports are held during Dasara.

Siddharamaiah’s budget also featured grants to start a tennis academy at Chamundi Vihar Stadium which is big boost for tennis players. “We had submitted a proposal to start a tennis academy along with developing water sports at aqua sports at Varuna Lake and Aero Sports at the Mandakalli Airport”, said Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES) Assistant Director Suresh.

For, now the skydiving is an expensive affair as people will have to splurge more to try the sport. This could be made affordable after bigger flights are used to accommodate more people.

The new announcements are surely a boost to sportspersons in city but the only thing that worries is its implementation. For example, the Swimming Pool, for which the construction began in 2013 at a cost of Rs. 5 crore is yet to be inaugurated. One wonders will it need four years to construct a single swimming pool.

Suresh said that the construction of swimming pool had been completed and the department had asked for CM’s dates to organise the inaugural function of the new facility.

Only by announcing the grants will not help the sports persons but it is the effective implementation of the projects which will help sportspersons to achieve great heights.