4000 sports grounds to be constructed across J & K

Jammu and Kashmir government has embarked upon an ambitious project to construct more than 4000 sports grounds in as many panchayat and community blocks in the state.

Under the flagship Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA), one sports field will be constructed in each of 3941 Panchayat blocks and 143 community blocks, an official spokesman said.

He said Rs one lakh has been earmarked for each panchayat and Rs five lakhs are being incurred for construction of sports fields in each community block.

"The State government is focusing on promotion of sports," the spokesman said.

The spokesman also said that 14 community blocks and 413 panchayat blocks have already been covered under the scheme where play field have been developed for the convenience of rural youth.

State Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, who on Thursday addressed a sports event at Shogpora in central Kashmir's Budgam district, said the government is focusing its attention on promotion of sports.

"The youth should take part in various sporting events to channelise their energies in a right direction," Rather said.

He asked the sports department to mobilise all its resources to identify the sports talent all over the state.