The Hindu : Sport : Lottery for sports to be launched

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Wednesday, Nov 15, 2006
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Lottery for sports to be launched

Special Correspondent

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Sports Super Bumper lottery, promoted by the Government with the aim of raising a minimum of Rs. 100 crores for the overall development of sports and games in the State, will be formally launched at a glittering ceremony here on Friday.

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, the Finance Minister, Thomas Isaac, said the difficulties in providing adequate budgetary support for sports was what had prompted the Government to launch such a venture. He said the entire proceeds from the lottery would be earmarked for the overall development of sports and games in the State and this was the first in a series of six lotteries aimed at raising sufficient funds for various social causes.

"It is not that we are asking people to gamble so as to win a prize, but to contribute generously for the development of sports in the State. And given the wide popularity that sports enjoys among the masses, we are confident that this venture would be a success," Mr. Isaac said.

Plans drawn up

The Sports Minister, M. Vijayakumar, who was present, said the Government had already drawn up plans for investing the money generated through the lottery. This would include establishment of basic sports infrastructure throughout the State and the introduction of a short-term programme aimed at preparing athletes from Kerala for the 2012 London Olympics and a long-term programme to tap the latent talent among the younger generation with the future in mind. The short-term programme has been christened `Vision 2012' and the longer-term programme `Operation Olympia'.

The Sports Commission to be constituted by the Government shortly would be asked to prepare detailed reports for the implementation of the two projects. Other than the ordinary channels through which the State lottery is normally sold, an elaborate plan of action would be initiated to see that the initial estimate of Rs. 100 crores is raised, with the help of local self-Government (LSG) institutions, sports associations, service organisations and clubs, Mr. Vijayakumar said.

Rs. 100 per ticket

Priced at Rs. 100 a ticket, the winner of the lottery would get Rs. 2 crores as prize-money. The draw will take place in Kozhikode on January 26, 2007.

The Chief Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan will make the first sale of the lottery, while the formal launch would be made jointly by P.T. Usha and I.M. Vijayan by lighting an Olympic torch at the Central stadium.

The ceremony will also include displays by CRPF, LNCPE, Air Force, Navy and the Kerala Police. The torch to be lit at the opening ceremony would be brought here from Poonjar in Kottayam district, the birthplace of the late Col. G.V. Raja, founder-president of the Kerala Sports Council.

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