Madikeri: Gonikoppa Sports Authority of India, Ashwini Sports Foundation Athletics Centre was inaugurated here on Sunday January 8 by Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports minister Vijay Goel and Minister for Youth empowerment and Sports, Govt of Karnataka Pramod Madhwaraj in presence of  MLA K G Bopaiah and Ashwini Nachappa of Ashwini Sports Foundation Athletics centre.The Athletic Centre has been established with a funding of Rs three crore from the Centre and Rs one crore from Sports Authority of India.

Speaking after inaugurating the Centre, the Union Minister said that the facilities have been provided to encourage and strengthen sports in India and with this the sportsmen too must focus more on hard work and winning medals for the country.

The people of India wish all the sports persons win medals for their country in Athletic and Common wealth games. Hence the sportspersons must be prepared for Athletic Championship in 2020 and necessary training and support is being provided from now itself, he added.

MAdhwaraj said that the state government has taken several steps inorder to promote and support sport persons already and Rs 120 crore has been sought from the centre.

Ashwini Nachappa of Ashwini Sports Foundation Athletics centre welcomed.