Government to pool resources to aid RSC

KOCHI: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the government will provide its share of funds to upgrade the swimming pool complex at the Regional Sports Centre (RSC) into an Olympic-size pool. He was speaking at the Annual Day Celebrations of the Regional Sports Centre in Kochi on Saturday.“The Regional Sports Centre in Kochi is one of the most successful examples of the private-public partnerships in our country. There is a need to upgrade the centre’s infrastructure. Training has to be provided for students with potential. The state government intends to develop the stadium in time to host the upcoming National Games. We will provide our support,” he added. Chandy stated that this target will be considered a challenge and that steps will be taken to ensure its success.The RSC officials will have to first submit a project report to the government highlighting the development potential of the pool, he said.RSC secretary V Manohar Prabhu said the report is almost complete and and that the proposal will be submitted to the state government soon. “We will come up with Rs 5 crore to develop the pool. The rest will be hopefully provided by the state,” he added.After the inaugural ceremony, various players who trained at the Regional Sports Centre and have reached national and international heights were felicitated. Among them were Sanave Thomas and Roopesh Kumar who are currently ranked number 28 and national ranked number nine at the Mens’ Doubles, respectively, Diju V who is ranked number 14 at the Mixed Doubles, Aparna Balan who has a National ranking in mixed doubles as number one, Arathi Sara Sunil who ranked number one at Doubles and Shyam Prasad, Junior Boys Singles National ranking 27.RSC football trainee Kent Joseph Mazuda and Tennis players Tanvi S Bhat and Gayathri Shankar who are ranked 87 and 44, respectively, in the Asia under 14 category were felicitated.