Regional sports complex for the disabled soon in Vizag.

The second regional sports complex for persons with disabilities in the country and the first in South India will be set up here, according to Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Thaavar Chand Gehlot.

The success of the Indian teams in Paralympics and world cup cricket for visually impaired inspired the Centre to establish five regional complexes which will have sport facilities for the differently-abled, including residential options. He was speaking at a mega camp organised to distribute financial aidto differently-abled persons here on Friday.

Apart from the sports complex, a national institute for rehabilitation of persons with mental disabilities will also be established in Nellore district, he said, asking the State government to allocate land for the projects. State Minister for HRD G Srinivasa Rao said that he along with the district administration had identified a 20-acre land for the sports complex at Thurluvada and the Collector has already begun the process of writing to the Union Government for getting the necessary approvals.

Union Minister of Urban Development, Urban Poverty Alleviation and Parliamentary Affairs M Venkaiah Naidu said the government was committed to do all for the welfare of persons with disabilities and urged them not to lose hope but continue the fight to achieve higher goals in life.


HBL