Maken grants Rs.5 crore to P.T.Usha’s athletics academy

NEW DELHI - Sports Minister Ajay Maken Sunday announced a grant of Rs.5 crore for the P.T Usha Athletics Academy at Kozhikode for laying a synthetic turf which will be only the third in Kerala.

Maken made the announcement in the presence of Usha while visiting her academy.

“Maken said that it would be his endeavour to ensure that sportspersons in the state as also the entire country did not face any infrastructural impediments in their training and the government would do everything to provide them with ample support,” said a sports ministy release.

Usha said that the synthetic turf would be of immense help since training is affected during the monsoon.

“In this monsoon affected region, it is difficult to maintain dry tracks and turf,” Usha said.

Maken said it would be his endeavour to ensure that sportspersons in the country did not face any infrastructural impediments in their training and that the government would do everything to provide them ample support.

The minister recalled that he has grown up as part of the generation following the glorious contribution of Usha to Indian sports.

Once completed, the turf would be only third in the state and first of its kind in the region.

The school, founded in 2002, is home to female athletes, with Tintu Luka being the most established name.

Known as the “Golden Girl” during her heydays, Usha ruled the tracks during the late 1970s and 1980s, finishing fourth in the 400 metres at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.