NIS campers seek new facilities

Gagan K. Teja

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Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 26

Rajiv Yadav, Secretary (Sports) with the Central Government, today sought a proposal from the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NIS) for the construction of an indoor athletics track here. Yadav was responding to the demands made by the top Indian athletes who train at the NIS — for they want an athletics track on which they could practise round the year, irrespective of the weather conditions.

Discus thrower Krishna Poonia today brought the matter to the notice of Yadav when he visited Patiala to take stock of the infrastructure and facilities provided to the top sportspersons of the country. Krishna told Yadav that the conditions in Patiala were not conducive to training in the summer, due to the extremely hot and humid weather. The sportspersons were unable to train and precious training time was wasted. After this, Yadav has asked NIS Executive Director SS Roy to send him a proposal for the construction of an indoor athletics track.

Yadav informed that apart from the indoor track, the authorities have sought the construction of a multipurpose indoor hall for handball, badminton and judo. Also, the renovation of the hostel building, and the construction of venues for fencing and wushu was discussed.

Rio hopes

Discussing India’s prospects for the Rio Olympics, Yadav said that the preparations were in full swing and hoped that India would improve on its 2012 London Olympics medals tally of six. “We are following the Sports Authority of India’s training calendar for the best results and providing assistance to Olympics probables under the National Sports Development Fund,” he said. He added that a “huge sum” is being spent under the Target Olympic Podium scheme for providing them the best training facilities. He said the emphasis is on providing exposure to the athletes likely to qualify for the Olympics.

He also inaugurated NIS’s newly-constructed sauna and steam bath chamber.