Asia's highest Astro Turf training center opens at Shalru

Shimla, May 18 : Asia's Highest Sports Training Centre at Shalru, 55 km from here, got another feather to its hat as Union Sports Minister M S Gill today inaugurated Rs 3.53 Crore Astro Turf outdoor and indoor multipurpose sport training hall, hostels and medical center.

While addressing a gathering on the occasion, Gill said the Central government would ensure that all the stadium and Training Centers were equipped with astro-turf to provide latest infrastructure facilities to sportspersons.

He said that new couches and trainers would be posted at high altitude sports center to further upgrade the training to sportsmen.

He also announced to build up a Skiing Stadium at Kaza in Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh.

Situated at 8000 ft from the sea level, the sprawling High Altitude Sport Training Center, Shalru was developed in 1986-87 for promotion of Hockey and allied sports.

The erstwhile Potato Research Institute site was considered an ideal location for summer sport camps as it received five to seven spells of snow in the winter and its temperature remained between 5 to 30 degrees during the summers.

While replying to a query, Gill said preparation for the ommonwealth Games was almost complete and the games would be held according to the scheduled.

Speaking on the occasion Indian Women Hockey Association President and Opposition leader in State Vidhan Sabha Vidya Stokes demanded that flowers, Apple and its products from Himachal should be promoted in the Commonwealth games to be held at New Delhi.

She said a Sports Stadium is being proposed at Pragtinagar at Kotkhai in this district.