Mysuru: Children should cultivate interest in sports from their school days, advised MLA Tanveer Sait.

Presiding over the National Sport Day celebrations organised by the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES) to mark the birth anniversary celebrations of Major Dhyanchand at Chamundi Vihar Stadium, here yesterday, he said that there was a need to encourage sports by creating conducive environment in schools.

Stating that he had brought in certain reforms during his tenure as Primary Education Minister to encourage sports in schools, Tanveer Sait expressed his concern over lack of encouragement to sports in schools adding that encouraging sports would help in grooming future leaders. 

Focusing on the existing problems at the Chamundi Vihar Stadium, MLA Tanveer Sait said that there were several issues that needed to be addressed immediately. “The State Government has released Rs. 50 lakh for the renovation of sports hostel and the tender process for UGD                                                   repairs at a cost of Rs. 25 lakh will be taken up at the earliest. Separate toilets would be constructed at a cost of Rs. 25 lakh from MLALAD funds and Rs. 50 lakh has been sought for the construction of the compound under CSR initiative,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA T.S. Srivatsa said there were many young talents in the city who had to be identified              and encouraged.

“A student our city has created world record by playing keyboard for 18 hours continuously, another boy has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for his 11-hour long speech about Swami Vivekananda.” he added.

On the occasion, the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports (DYES) felicitated talented sportspersons who had won accolades at the national-level events. DYES Assistant Director Bhaskar Nayak was present. Later, Volleyball, Hockey, Basket Ball tournaments and sports were  conducted to mark the occasion.