The Tripura government is making sustained efforts to strengthen sports infrastructure across the state to encourage young people to take up sports and ensure the holistic development of the next generation, Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha said on Saturday.
The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating Rangalal Das Memorial Indoor Sports Hall and unveiling a statue of Swami Vivekananda at the Unakoti District Sports Complex in Kailashahar. The two initiatives were inaugurated on the auspicious occasion of Maha Saptami of Durga Puja.
Dr. Saha said sports play a vital role in shaping the character of young people, instilling discipline and boosting self-confidence. He described the new facilities as significant additions to Kailashahar's sports infrastructure and youth development initiatives.
The Chief Minister said the state government has been naming sports facilities after distinguished sportspersons and coaches who have made significant contributions to Tripura's sporting landscape. Such initiatives, he said, would help the younger generation learn about the state's sporting heritage and draw inspiration from the achievements of eminent personalities.
Citing several examples, Saha said the synthetic athletics track at Dasarath Deb State Sports Complex had been named after Debabhakti Jamatia, the synthetic hockey ground at Badharghat after renowned hockey coach Swadeshpriya Nandi, the synthetic football ground after Pratul Bhattacharya, the synthetic athletics track at Panisagar after Dr Arunabha Roy, and the youth hostel at Ambassa after Madhusudan Saha.
Similarly, naming the indoor sports hall in Kailashahar after distinguished local footballer Rangalal Das was an important tribute to his contribution to sports, he added.
Dr. Saha said the government was developing various sports facilities across Tripura, including synthetic turf football grounds, athletics tracks and swimming pools. The Youth Affairs and Sports Department, the Tribal Welfare Department and district administrations were working together to advance sports infrastructure in different parts of the state.
The modern indoor sports hall in Kailashahar is part of this broader initiative. Besides providing facilities required for sports training and practice, the complex also accommodates administrative offices.
Highlighting the role of sports in addressing social challenges, the Chief Minister said greater participation in sporting activities could help curb substance abuse among young people and foster a positive outlook towards life. Sports encourage discipline, self-control, ethical values and teamwork, he said, urging young people to make sports an integral part of their lives.
Referring to the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, Dr. Saha called upon the youth to recognise and develop their inner strength, set clear goals and move forward with determination.
The Chief Minister also said that development activities had gained momentum under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while the state government was working relentlessly for Tripura's overall progress.
He said development projects worth around Rs 1,500 crore had been inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid during the previous financial year. So far in the current year, projects worth approximately Rs 1,200 crore to Rs 1,300 crore had been inaugurated or had their foundation stones laid, he added.
Emphasising the role of young people in achieving the visions of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Viksit Tripura 2047, Saha said ensuring better infrastructure, a conducive environment and adequate opportunities for future generations would be essential to building a prosperous and developed Tripura.
Youth Affairs and Sports Minister Tinku Roy, who was also present at the programme, stressed the importance of developing modern sports infrastructure in Kailashahar. He said the new indoor sports hall would expand training opportunities for sports enthusiasts in the area and create a favourable environment for nurturing talent in various indoor games.
With appropriate facilities and a supportive sporting environment, more young men and women would be encouraged to pursue sports and develop their abilities, Roy added.
At the conclusion of the programme, the Chief Minister felicitated Rita Bhattacharya, wife of the late Rangalal Das, in recognition of the occasion.
The Rangalal Das Memorial Indoor Sports Hall was constructed at a cost of Rs 5.26 crore.
Among those present were Unakoti Zilla Parishad Sabhadhipati Amalendu Das, Kailashahar Municipal Council Chairperson Chapla Rani Debroy, Unakoti District Magistrate and Collector Megha Jain, Director of Youth Affairs and Sports L. Darlong, and Unakoti Superintendent of Police Rishabh.