Gill assures Badal of astro-turf in Punjab

Sports Minister MS Gill has assured Punjab CM Prakash Badal that he would do his bit to ensure astro-turfs in the state.

Sports Minister MS Gill on Wednesday assured Punjab Chief Minister Prakash Singh Badal that he would do his bit to ensure that there are enough astro-turfs in the state, which has traditionally been the nursery of Indian hockey.

Badal called on Gill in his office on Wednesday to discuss various issues, during which the Sports Minister told him that he would ensure that the number of astro-turfs in the country is doubled in short time and Punjab would have its fair share of the artificial surface as well.

“Punjab has often led the country when it comes to sports and the state is very much on my radar,” Gill told Badal.

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The Sports Minister said he has already declared that the number of astro-turfs in the country will be increased from 15 to 30 and along with Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Northeast and western Orissa as well, Punjab too would see laying of new astro-turfs.

Gill told Badal that universities with good track records and other institutes of repute would get priority in laying astro-turf but with the condition that they would allow access to the facilities to all, though maintenance would remain their responsibility.

Gill also told Badal that new Nehru Yuva Kendras would come up in six new districts in Punjab, while a 40-bed youth hostel has been approved in Taran Taran district.

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