I am very happy to lay the foundation stone for  the Indoor Stadium, to be constructed at Pathanamthitta Municipality with the sponsorship of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India.  As this function is held on the first day of the month of Chingam, let me wish everyone happiness and prosperity throughout the year.

        Let me at the outset, compliment the Pathanamthitta Municipal Council for planning to construct a stadium for the benefit of sports enthusiasts. I understand that this long cherished dream of the present as well as earlier Municipal Councils became a reality when Shri Anto Antony MP took up the leadership to submit the project before the Central Government. Therefore, Shri Anto Antony MP also deserves our wholehearted appreciation for his keen interest as well as for financially supporting the project from his MP’s local area development fund.

       As we all know, the sports culture has been one of the factors that has always raised Kerala's prestige all over India as well as abroad. Kerala has nurtured some of the most outstanding sports persons that India has ever seen, whether it is on the athletic tracks or on our playgrounds. Names like Shri T.C. Yohannan, Shri Suresh Babu, Smt. P.T. Usha,     Shri Jimmy George, Shri I.M. Vijayan, Shri Sreesanth and many others have enhanced Kerala's reputation in the sports arena of the country.

       Our State is the first in the country to enact a law in sports; we are also the first State to integrate sports into the educational syllabus. Kerala also was the first State to appoint a Sports Commission and to allow Local Self-Governments to utilize plan funds for establishing sports infrastructure. A democratically elected sports council also was Kerala's idea. 

       In spite of all these, we are yet to have enough playgrounds and an atmosphere truly conducive to the growth of sports and sports-persons. The Government is taking many efforts to promote sports by improving sports infrastructure and by providing jobs to people who excel in sports. However, we need a social environment that supports sports and games as professions that would earn the respect and recognition in society.

       According to the Constitution of India, sport is a state subject. Therefore, it is the State Government which allots funds for developing sports and sports infrastructure in accordance with its priorities and interests.  The lack of a   uniform approach in developing sports infrastructure throughout the country is certainly a set-back.  Luckily, Kerala has a sports Policy which supports Healthy Life for All and promotes programmes to improve sports infrastructure.

       In many States, the non-availability of land for building sports infrastructure is often cited as major road-block.  Here, I am happy that this Municipality had acquired          14 acres of land to construct an open-air stadium way back in 1996 itself. It is also heartening to note that plans are afoot to lay a synthetic track in that stadium. And, for this indoor stadium which can seat 5,000 people, over five and a half acres of land has been provided in such a way as to accommodate two Basket Ball Courts, three Volley Ball Courts, three Shuttle Badminton Courts, Gymnasium, two  Dormitories and other amenities of  International Standards.

       Creation of sports infrastructure of this sort should be the aim of all districts and Municipalities, so that athletes and players need not move out of their native place for training and practice sessions. I am certain that this stadium, in which two international events can be held at the same time, will benefit many upcoming athletes and players of this district.  

     It is needless to specify that sporting activity has great significance in our daily lives. On a personal level, we must see our health as our greatest wealth, because the way to a healthy mind is through a healthy body. Many people ignore games and sports in the name of better performance in education. They do not realise that children who play well, study better. Some avoid sports, claiming to be more spiritually oriented. For such people, the advice of Swamy Vivekananda remains relevant even now. He believed that even spirituality worked better in people with a healthy body. When a sickly looking youth sought Swamiji's advice on spirituality, he advised the young man: “You will be nearer to heaven through Foot-ball than through the study of the Bhagvad Gita!” 

       I quoted Vivekananda with a specific purpose. Very few of us know that by the year 2030,   Kerala would become the diabetic and heart disease capital of India. Therefore, our State has adopted a policy of ‘Sports for All, Health for All’ to ensure participation of people at the grassroots level in sporting activities. I remember that the new Health Policy of Kerala also has emphasised the need to involve people in sports and games to ensure a healthy life.

       I would also like to remind you about the fruitful utilization of the sports infrastructure around us. The facilities have to be well utilized by sports persons as well other by other people. I have observed that many stadiums are rented out for political and religious meetings, to fetch an income. This trend has to be discontinued. Sports facilities must be for sports activities only. This can be achieved only if people use the sports facilities fully, 365 days a year. 

          I have heard many people call Pathanamthitta the Gateway to Salvation, since this place leads to the famous Sabarimala, the renowned Maaraaman Congregation etc. In the coming years, with the addition of more sports infrastructure, I hope this place would also gain fame as a cradle of champions in different games and sports.

       I compliment the office bearers of the Municipality and members of the organizing committee for conducting this function in a befitting manner.  You have heralded Onam into this locality in a unique and admirable way.

Ellavarkkum Ente Onam Aashamsakal

Nanni 

  Jai Hind