Minister Madhwaraj Lays Foundation for Kabbadi Court, Praises MLA Lobo’s Development Strategy
Mangaluru: A foundation laying ceremony for the Kabbadi and shuttle badminton court at the Urwa Market Grounds here on March 22.
The foundation stone was symbolically laid by the Minister for Fisheries, Sports and Youth Affairs, Pramod Madhwaraj.
The programme began with an invocation. Deputy Director of Youth empowerment and sports Pradeep D’Souza welcomed the gathering. The programme was inaugurated by Pramod Madhwaraj by lighting the traditional lamp along with other dignitaries on the dais.
Addressing the gathering Pramod Madhwaraj said, “Today we have laid the foundation for a Shuttle Badminton and Kabbadi Court. After becoming the sports minister, I have sanctioned sports grounds in various Taluks and districts. Many ministers and MLAs had invited me to the inaugural programme but I was not able to attend any of the inaugural programmes even Minister Ramanath Rai had invited me to Benjanapadav. If I have ever attended any inaugural programmes it is today in Mangaluru after Udupi. Because I have special respect towards J R Lobo, his working strategy and the way he gets funds from the government for the development of his constituency. Out of 224 MLAs, it is like MLA J R Lobo has done a PhD because he is very much aware of spending government funds for the all-round development work”.
Pramod further said, “MLA Lobo has done his work with integrity. In politics, there are very few people who work with dedication and integrity. MLA J R Lobo works 24X7 for the all-round development of his constituency. We should appreciate his work, if we forget leaders who strive for the development of their constituency, no one else will recognize their good work. If a mother decides to kill her own child, the police, Chief justice, Chief Minister or no one else in the world can save the child. Likewise, if people think of finishing the career of the elected representatives, no one can save them. People should reciprocate for Lobo’s good work forgetting caste, creed and religion”.
Madhwaraj further said, “Lobo is working for the development of his constituency be it the Yemmekere swimming pool, Indoor stadium, outdoor stadium in Yekkur and Football ground in Nehru Maidan likewise people should forget caste, creed and religion and support MLA J R Lobo. I have released Rs 1 crore for the Football court in Nehru Maidan and Lobo has asked additional Rs 25 lakh for the ground and I have given the order copy to Rajneesh Goel to release additional funds. All the MLAs do not have interest in sports and they do not come to me. They are interested in making roads and other work. If Lobo says that he is not interested in sports and neglects sports is not right. Any elected representative with a broad vision will think of all-round development. I was appointed as the minister for sports by our CM. I am not into sports but CM Siddaramaiah has given me the power as sports minister and it is my duty to carry out my responsibilities with integrity and dedication”.
Minister Madhwaraj also said, “In the 70 years of Karnataka’s history, we did not have a Sports policy. In the last two years, I invited all the sports personalities from Karnataka and recorded their opinion. According to their opinion, we have implemented a sports policy. The first sports policy of Karnataka has now been announced. Our country should win gold, only by delivering speeches we will not win any gold in the Olympics. We should encourage the primary and high school students in sports. If children are good in sports they are not encouraged, parents discourage their children in sports activities saying that they want 100% marks and want them to become a doctor or engineer. In school, the Principal will say that he/she wants 100% results and no play. If the parents and school authorities encourage students who are interested in sports we will get the gold in Olympics. Even the government is not encouraging sportspersons, we want to compete with the US, UK and other countries and get gold but at the same time, we need to give an equal amount to encourage them. In the UK the population is only 6 crore and in Karnataka the population is 6.5 crore. The Sports budget in UK is Rs 2200 crores whereas in Karnataka, it is just Rs 285 crore and with this budget, we want to compete with them at the international level. The sports budget in our country for all the 30 states is just Rs 900 crores. So we have now announced a Sports policy. Those who are good in sports will get grace marks. Sportspersons normally skip classes and have a shortage of attendance. Sportspersons should be given attendance. Sometimes the sports events and the examinations come together during such times sportspersons should attend sports meets and special examinations should be held for them later. Sports personalities should get government jobs with 2% reservation. After Siddaramaiah became the Chief minister we have deposited Rs 48 crore directly to the accounts of the Sports personalities as prize money.”
Mayor Bhaskar K also spoke on the occasion. MLA J R Lobo delivered the presidential address. Chairman of Sri Devi Institute Sadananda Shetty, Sashidhar Hegde, Giridhar Shetty, Praveenchandra Alva, Sabitha Misquith, Raymond D’Souza and others were also present.
