Sports to get a boost in Kerala

Kochi: Buoyed up  by the opportunity to host the FIFA Under- 17  World Cup in Kochi, the Kerala Sports Council is planning to lift the sports profile of the state. The plan entails setting up training facilities, including large playgrounds and swimming pools,  in all local bodies along with 14 indoor stadiums in all district capitals. Mr. T. P. Dasan, president of Kerala State Sports Council, told reporters here that   ‘Operation Olympia’ which aims at winning more medals in the Olympic Games of 2020 and 2024, will be launched soon. Schemes aimed at winning medals in the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games are also under way. Selected youngsters will be given training in cycling, boxing, shooting and badminton.

He along with athlete Mercy Kuttan, vice-president, Mr. Sanjayan Kumar, secretary  and director of sports and youth affairs,  and  Mr V. A. Sakkeer Hussain, president of Ernakulam district Sports Council, said that the torch rally and ball run rally held to popularise the Under-17 World Cup will conclude at the Durbar Hall ground, Ernakulam, on Friday. Live telecast of the World Cup matches will be displayed at special screens at the Durbar Hall Ground. Mr Dasan said that employment opportunities for sportspersons will be brightened. “From now on, one percent of the PSC placements will be reserved for sports personalities and every year at least 150 sports personalities will be employed under the sports quota across various positions,’   said  Mr  Dasan.