Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav is giving special emphasis to improve the basic sports infrastructure and develop the sports culture in the state. Uttar Pradesh would soon turn into a sporting hub with international sporting facilities on a par with the best in the country.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav

The important sports development initiatives by the young Akhilesh Yadav in promoting sports are:

#1 – The projects include a Multi Utility Sports Complex with an International Stadium. The State government had initiated project to construct a multi-purpose stadium in Lucknow that would have all facilities under one roof. The Lucknow international stadium would have a capacity of 50,000 spectators and would be constructed at a cost of Rs 400 crore. The stadium would be completed by October 2016.

#2 – Cricket is the most popular game of the country, and now the State would have two international standard stadiums for it. With the aim to give fillip to cricket in Uttar Pradesh, the Akhilesh Yadav government handed over the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur to the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) and also speed up construction of international standard cricket stadium in Lucknow.

#3 – After the renovation drive, the Dhyan Chand stadium in Lucknow features a re-laid synthetic hockey turf and floodlights of international standards. Not only is the turf, the seating area also being upgraded with the new chairs. It will be of great utility for the young hockey trainees of the state and the country. The Dhyan Chand stadium is likely to host Junior Men Hockey World Cup in December 2016.

#4 – Recently, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Croatian government in the presence of Ambassador of Croatia to India, Amir Muharemi. Croatia will offer help in developing sports facilities in the state and extend support in providing international level training to football players from the state.

#5 – The UP government is keen to promote sports. Probably, it is the first State which has increased the cash award for the medal winners in international meets, including Commonwealth and Asian games and Olympics.

Akhilesh Yadav giving the cash award for the medal winners

Sports should not be limited to the cities only. Sports make people competitive, disciplined, productive, and at the same time promote team spirit, friendship and sportsmanship. It is the Chief Minister’s love for sports that has made it possible.

Tags: Akhilesh Yadav, Amir Muharemi, Chief Minister, Croatia, Dhyan Chand Stadium, Hockey, Junior Men Hockey World Cup, Lucknow, Sports, UP, Uttar Pradesh