Rs 10 crore to encourage specially-abled athletes

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: In his seventh budget as elected head of the State, CM Siddaramaiah on Friday allocated Rs 10 crore to encourage the participation of specially-abled persons in sports.

The proposed amount has been earmarked to provide all necessary basic facilities and services of expert coaches to train these “special” athletes to shine.

It was one of several big announcements in the State’s 14th Budget, which the CM presented with an outlay of over Rs 3.27 lakh crore.

He also proposed the establishment of a regional basketball training centre in Bengaluru and a cycling velodrome in Mysuru for Rs 10 crore each to foster athletes and prepare them for international competitions.

“A grant of Rs 5 crore will be allocated to establish a sports museum in the Sri Kanteerava Stadium complex in Bengaluru”, the CM said.

The Budget also mentions the establishment of a well-equipped sports hostel on the public private partnership model at a cost of Rs 10 crore.