State govt creating strong sports infra: Ex-minister

Mandi, August 31

Former minister and senior Congress leader Kaul Singh Thakur today lauded the state government’s efforts in creating a robust sports infrastructure as part of its broader educational initiatives.

Thakur highlighted a recent trend wherein many parents, as their economic condition improves, enrolling their children in private schools, leading to a reduction in strength in some rural schools and subsequent merger of institutions.

Kaul Singh Thakur was speaking as chief guest at the inauguration of an under-14 girls’ sports competition for the Darang block in Mandi district at the Government Senior Secondary School in Gwali today.

A total of 250 students from 23 schools are participating in this year’s event. In the march past segment, the host school emerged as the winner, while Senior Secondary School, Sahal, was adjudged runners-up.

Thakur recalled that when he first became a legislator in 1977, educational and healthcare institutions were scarce in Darang Assembly constituency. Over the years, he worked to establish senior secondary schools and healthcare facilities in every panchayat, providing quality education and health facilities to people near their homes, he added.

Thakur encouraged the student-athletes to recognise the crucial role of physical education teachers in developing their skills. He also praised the performance of Darang block students in sports, attributing their success to the hard work of physical education teachers at both district and state levels.

Thakur presented a cash donation of Rs 10,000 to the organising committee in appreciation of the cultural programme presented by the students.