Kangra to have indoor stadium: Thakur

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, November 12

First IRB, Bangarh, in Una district and Third IRB, Pandoh, jointly won the best battalion trophy in the 50th state-level police sports meet that concluded here on Monday.

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur presided over the prize distribution function held at the Police Grounds here. In the commando competition, Central Unit won the top position and the principal of Police Training College (PTC), Daroh, received the award. In motor transportation and maintenance, Central Range bagged the trophy. The best police station award was won by the Sunder Nagar police station in Mandi district. The football trophy was won by North Range; volleyball by Central Range, basketball by Central Range, handball by Central Unit, kabbadi by Central Unit and athletics by Northern Range.

Bhanu Prakash was declared the best athlete. The overall best team trophy in sports and athletics was bagged by Southern Range. In cultural competitions, Central Unit bagged the first prize.

In dog squad competition, Central Unit again remained at top. In the cross country team championship, Northern Range won the first spot. In high jump, Sandeep Kumar from Central Unit attained the first position.

DGP SR Mardi was also present on the occasion.

Earlier, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who presided over the opening ceremony of the 45th National Basketball Championship of Sub-Junior Boys and Girls that started here on Monday, said an indoor stadium would be constructed at Kangra.

He lauded the efforts of the state basketball association for organising this event. Thakur said drug abuse was a major concern for all of them. Sports activities not only helped in channelising youth energy in creative activities, but also helped them stay away from this social evil.

He urged the youth, elected representatives and other NGOs to join hands to end this menace.

Thakur said a lift would be constructed in the combined office building (Mini-Secretariat), Kangra. The PWD rest house, Kangra, would be expanded.

He announced Rs 5 lakh for the renovation of the present basketball stadium at Kangra and Rs 5 lakh for organising this championship.

Health Minister Vipin Singh Parmar said several schemes had been launched by the state government for the welfare of every section of society.

President of the Basketball Federation of India and MLC, Karnataka, K Govind Raj appreciated the efforts of the basketball association for organising such an event in the state.