LUCKNOW: After India’s brilliant performance in the recently-concluded Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the Uttar Pradesh government has shifted its focus to the promotion of sports by providing grounds, equipment and logistics to players and organizing competitions in rural areas. The department of youth welfare will hold zonal level competitions in rural areas from September 16-30, followed by state-level competitions in October.
A government spokesperson said the competitions would be held for athletics, volleyball, kabaddi, wrestling, weightlifting and other sports.

“The state government is also creating infrastructure for promotion of sports. Currently, 21 multipurpose halls are being constructed in rural areas in different districts of the state. Four of these are in Mohanlalganj in Lucknow, Panchali Khurd in Meerut, Nagwan in Sonbhadra and Milkipur in Ayodhya. These will be ready within the next six months as per the instruction of the Chief Minister,” he said.Under the Khelo India scheme, the department of youth welfare is also constructing 20 mini stadiums in various districts with special focus on training youth in rural UP. The youth welfare department is augmenting sports facilities to improve fitness of rural youth.
The government is also developing open gymnasiums and playgrounds through convergence under the Khelo India scheme.