Lebong stadium upgrade: Darj group reps meet minister

SNS, DARJEELING, 30 AUGUST 21 : Social organization VikRun Foundation and Darjeeling Football Society today demanded up-gradation of the Lebong Stadium in Darjeeling and installation of an astro turf there as their members met Minister of State for Sports Department Manoj Tiwari.

A three-member delegation of the Foundation and the DFS met the state minister in Kolkata today

"We have been raising this demand for the up-gradation of the Lebong Stadium with the district administration and today we took it up with the Bengal MoS of Sports Manoj Tiwari in Kolkata. We have also asked him to look into the infrastructure needed for the Monteviot ground in Kurseong so it can be improved as well," said Vikram Rai of the VikRun Foundation.

"Manoj Tewari is himself a former Indian cricketer and an avid sportsman, and he sounded positive about the demands, with sports players from the northeast doing well in the Olympics this time," Mr Rai added. In a press release, both the organizations said they believe in encouraging the youths to take up football as a hobby, sport, and career.

"The delegation told the minister that the youths from the hills are challenged by lack of opportunities and poor, inadequate infrastructure. We also informed the minister that there is only one public ground for football matches the Gorkha Stadium–which unfortunately has sub-par playing conditions and the field requires significant upgrades to not only make it football-friendly, track and field friendly, but also enable our talented youth to train properly for better playing prospects outside," said Mr Rai.

"The minister has given a positive feedback and said that adequate steps will be taken to improve sports in the hills. The minister also assured the delegation that he will personally take up the issue with his senior minister and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee," said Mr Rai.

He further said that the minister will also try and talk to private parties who could be interested to invest in sports in the hills.