Kolkata, Aug 29 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Saturday paid tribute to hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand on the occasion of National Sports Day while announcing several measures for the development of sports in the state.
Speaking at Nabanna, Adhikari also referred to the mismanagement during Lionel Messi’s GOAT India tour last year, saying the state government was trying to refund ticket money to spectators who could not watch the Argentine footballer at Salt Lake’s Yuva Bharati Krirangan.
Adhikari directly attacked the previous Trinamool Congress government, claiming it had neglected the sports sector. “Everything is stagnant; the previous government did not pay attention to sports. As a result, no one got a taste of anything good,” he said.
On National Sports Day, the Chief Minister announced plans including an allocation of Rs 400 crore in the budget for sports. He said mini indoor stadiums would be built in 294 Assembly constituencies, with a target this year of setting up 100 facilities for table tennis, badminton and gyms.
Referring to the Messi event, Adhikari said: “There has been a scandal in sports, like during Messi’s event. Messi has a huge fan following. The young generation was cheated by buying tickets worth Rs 6,000 to Rs 8,000. A delivery boy spent all his savings for a year to see Messi that day. I am trying to ensure they get their money back.”
He also assured financial support to international athletes before they win medals, not only afterwards. “Those who will join the international sports field should be given financial support. We feel ashamed to see the way Haryana is doing great in sports. We could have done it, but it was not done,” he said.
Adhikari added that he had asked about the Khelo India project. State Sports Minister Indranil Khan informed him that the Union Sports Minister had called in Delhi. “Give DPR; if necessary, arrangements will have to be made to bring thousands of crores of rupees for the sector,” Adhikari said.
–IANS
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