Leh: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday inaugurated India’s highest Astro Turf football ground, built at an altitude of 11,500 feet, at the Open Stadium in Leh.
The Lieutenant Governor also inaugurated the newly-constructed VIP Stand and the laying of an eight-lane synthetic athletic track, dedicating modern sports infrastructure worth over ₹30 crore to the people of Ladakh.
The VIP Stand has been constructed at a cost of ₹19.85 crore under the Special Development Package of the Department of Youth Services and Sports, while the synthetic athletic track and Astro Turf football ground were developed at a cost of ₹10.50 crore under the Government of India’s Khelo India scheme.
The sports complex includes an eight-lane synthetic track, Astro Turf football ground, VIP stand, long jump pits, handball and volleyball courts and spectator galleries.
A 64-room youth hostel has also been developed to provide accommodation facilities for athletes, coaches and visiting teams.
Officials said the infrastructure is expected to facilitate year-round sporting activities despite the harsh weather conditions in Ladakh.
Speaking on the occasion, Vinai Kumar Saxena termed the facility a historic development and said it marked the beginning of a new era of opportunities for young athletes in Ladakh.
“The inauguration of the modern sports infrastructure is the beginning of a new era of dreams, aspirations and opportunities for the youth of Ladakh,” he said.
The Lieutenant Governor expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India for supporting the development of Ladakh in sectors including infrastructure, sports, tourism and education.
He said sports are not only a means of competition but also promote discipline, confidence and healthy living.
Vinai Kumar Saxena added that training in the high-altitude environment of Ladakh would help athletes build endurance, resilience and physical strength and expressed hope that the Union Territory would produce national and international-level sportspersons in the future.
On the occasion, an exhibition 400-metre mixed relay race and a football match between Skalzangling FC and Dzawo 11 FC were also organised.
