Shimla

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday inaugurated a newly developed multipurpose sports stadium in Sanjauli, strengthening the state's efforts to improve sports infrastructure and encourage youth participation in athletics.

Built at a cost of Rs 3.18 crore, the stadium features an open sports arena along with a covered hall, an open hall, a kitchen and several other facilities designed to support a range of sporting and community activities, according to an official statement.

The chief minister also flagged off Himachal Pradesh's first-ever Chitta Awareness Volleyball Tournament, being organised as part of the International Summer Festival in Shimla. To encourage participation and competitiveness, he announced a cash award of Rs 1 lakh for the tournament's winning team.

Addressing the gathering, Sukhu unveiled a series of developmental initiatives for the Sanjauli area. He announced an allocation of Rs 1 crore for the further expansion and modernisation of the Sanjauli Ground. He also declared plans to establish a Primary Health Centre in the locality and upgrade the traditional Sanjauli Holi Fair to a district-level event.

Emphasising the government's commitment to sports promotion, Sukhu said efforts were underway to bring prestigious Khelo India competitions to Himachal Pradesh, adding that the concerned department had already been instructed to pursue the initiative.

He further noted that the state had recently enhanced cash rewards for athletes excelling in international competitions and revealed that a new policy aimed at recognising and rewarding national-level sports achievers would soon be introduced.

The chief minister also informed that a stadium worth Rs 10 crore is currently under construction at Ghatasani near Shimla, which would further strengthen sporting infrastructure in the region.

Reflecting on his own experiences as a student athlete, Sukhu said his participation in sports during his school years had given him a deeper understanding of the difficulties and requirements faced by players.

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Local MLA Harish Janartha described the Sanjauli Ground as one of the area's oldest sporting venues and said the inauguration of the upgraded facility fulfilled a long-standing demand of residents for a modern and well-equipped sports complex.