Chamarajanagar: Lot of grants are being released to encourage sports and this should be utilised properly for its development, said Chamarajanagar MP R. Dhruvanarayan.

He was speaking after inaugurating the newly-laid synthetic track at a cost of Rs. 5.5 crore and the District-Level State Government Employees’ Sports Meet at Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Sports Stadium here recently and said that there are very good sportspersons in the District and they need to make use of the new facility fully.

Since the synthetic track is ready, it will facilitate games including 400 metres race, relay, long jump, high jump, triple jump, shot put, discus throw and others. Chain-link fencing has been installed around the stadium and hi-tech toilets have been set up, he said.

He also expressed his happiness on the occasion regarding the organisation of the two-day District-level sports for the government employees.

The newly-laid synthetic track under Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan is going to help the development of sports in the District. Funds had been released for indoor stadium in Belagavi and the synthetic track in the district. The quality of the track is very good. – R. Dhruvanarayan, MP

MLA N. Mahesh speaking said that the laying of synthetic track is going to benefit all sportspersons in the region. In Kollegal town also a Rs.3.5 crore synthetic track is going to be laid.

Youth Empowerment and Sports Department will be taking up this project at the MGSV College premises which will also benefit senior citizens interested in sports and for others taking part in various sports activities, he said.

The State government employees must not be interested in just participating in District-level sports but should take part in whatever sports they are good at in all levels and concentrate on them. By involving in physical activities daily, one’s health can be maintained, he added.

Zilla Panchayat President Shivamma also spoke. Taluk Panchayat President Doddamma, Zilla Panchayat Vice-President J. Yogeesh, Members C.N. Balraju, A.R. Balraju, Jayanthi, Kamal Nagaraju, City Municipal Council Members Asha Nataraju, Bhagyamma, Neelamma and Kalavathi, Deputy Commissioner B.B. Cauvery, CEO Dr. K. Harish Kumar, Youth Empowerment and Sports Department Commissioner K. Srinivas, Sports Department Joint Director Ramesh, State Government Employees Association District President R. Rachappa, Vice-President Basavaraju, Hon. President Rangaswamy, General Secretary Mahadevaswamy and others were present.

TP Vice-President walks out: Taluk Panchayat Vice-President Basavanna was upset and walked out of the inauguration programme of the synthetic track. The programme began with Youth Empowerment and Sports Department Assistant Director M. Cheluvaiah welcoming the gathering. But he ended his welcome speech without mentioning Basavanna’s name.

Basavanna immediately said that though he had been invited to the function, his name was not mentioned and hence he had been insulted, which he strongly condemned and walked out.