CM inaugurates upgraded Mangan Public Ground

MANGAN, (IPR): In a major boost to the sporting culture in the district, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, inaugurated the newly constructed youth hostel-cum-gym and the upgraded Mangan Public Ground today.

On his arrival, the Chief Minister was received and welcomed by Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs, Raju Basnet, Minister-cum-Area MLA, Samdup Lepcha, Minister for Forest and Environment, PintsoNamgyal Lepcha, Minister for Ecclesiastical department, Public Health Engineering department, and Water Resources department, Sonam Lama, chairperson, advisors and OSDs from various departments, secretary Sports and Youth Affairs department Yangchen D Tamang, senior officers of the departments, other dignitaries, youth representatives and local athletes.

After the ceremonial guard of honour, the Chief Minister inaugurated the youth hostel-cum-gym by unveiling the plaque, cutting the ribbon, and inspecting the newly constructed facilities.

The secretary and chief engineer apprised the Chief Minister of the project details, amenities which has been developed to benefit the youth of the region.

The youth hostel-cum-gym is equipped with modern gym equipment, spacious hostel facilities for both boys and girls and supporting amenities to encourage sports and fitness.

The gym and 60-bedded youth hostel has a plinth area of 249 sqm. The ground floor has two units of 30-bedded hostel each for boys and girls. The facility comprises a common dining/kitchen, one office unit, two gym units, two units of warden rooms, two units of attached toilets and separate washroom facilities for both boys and girls.

The first floor has an instructor room in each unit with attached toilet, equipment room, one toilet and one bathroom and two changing rooms on each side.

Likewise the facility has gym halls of size 17.5 m × 14.7 m each for boys and girls.

Following the inauguration of the hostel and gym, the Chief Minister visited the upgraded Mangan Public Ground, where he symbolically kicked off a football to mark the reopening of the ground. A brief demonstration drill by local players reflected the growing enthusiasm of the youth and the sporting culture of the region.

The upgraded playground has a total capacity of about 4000 including stadium galleries, pavilion seating gallery, western gallery and hill side gallery.

The football ground has been renovated to meet 11-side tournament standards. The total ground size is 107 m by 64 m, playground area is 100 m × 59 m. The approach road has a length of 40 m, breadth 6m and diversion road of length 234 m, breadth 6m and drain (RCC) of length 229 m.

The Chief Minister also held an interactive session with athletes and youth representatives, encouraging them to make the best use of the newly developed facilities.