SAI funds to boost Ashwini Nachappa’s foundation in Kodagu

Union Sports Ministry sanctions Rs. 5.50 crore for the Foundation

Bangalore :

Budding athletes in Kodagu and surrounding districts have all reasons to smile as Ashwini Nachappa’s Sports Foundation at Kaikeri near Gonikoppa in Kodagu district will be converted into a national training hub for athletics with the installation of an eight-lane synthetic athletic track.

The sports foundation arena will be installed with synthetic track worth Rs. 5.50 crore. The idea of installing synthetic track was mooted by former international athlete Ashwini Nachappa in 2010 for which the Union Sports Ministry gave an approval at the beginning of this year. The Sports Ministry has decided to sanction the facility under the National Sports Development Scheme and is expected to the benefit the budding and national level athletes.

Sports Authority of India (SAI) Netaji Subhas Southern Centre, has signed an 30-year agreement with Ashwini’s Sports Foundation for utilisation of Synthetic Athletic Track and allied infrastructure to be built in the coming days.

The Rs 5.50 crore agreement was signed by Roque Dias, Regional Director, SAI and Arjun Awardee Ashwini Nachappa who is Founder and Managing Trustee of the Foundation, according to the sources.

The new facility at Kodagu will enable Sports Authority of India to conduct National Camps and organise sports events. The ministry is expected to release first installment (25 percent of the total cost) along with the finalisation of tender for the installation of the synthetic track. Technical Committee comprising of officials, experts and Olympians will look into the works which are expected to commence in November this year.

The entire project will cost Rs. 9.90 crore. With the Union Government funding Rs. 5.50 crore, the foundation will have to raise Rs. 4.40 crore.The Foundation is already being helped by Biocon’s Kiran Mazumbdar Shaw, Mohandas Pai and the Embassy Group to run the existing the facility. The foundation has 28 trainees and athletes between age group of 12-19 years in which few of them have already made a mark at the State and National level.

With Government coming forward to the support such initiatives, it will definitely help in country producing quality athletes who could make our country proud at international level.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports News / July 22nd, 2014

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