Leh to soon get a cricket and sports academy, announces MoS Finance Anurag Thakur 

Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs Anurag Thakur is on a two-day tour to the newly formed Union Territory – Leh. He is one of the few ministers to visit the Union territory after the government got a resolution passed in this regard in Parliament earlier this year. The minister made some significant announcements, hoisted the National Flag at Khardung La Pass along with the Indian Army. He also interacted with the stakeholders alongside 15th Finance Commission Members to understand the issues and challenges in the region and assured speedy development.

During the visit, the ardent sports enthusiast and known as an aggregator of sports, the former BCCI President Anurag Thakur announced setting up of a cricket and sports academy in the region to ensure that talented athletes get the required training to become a part of the mainstream.

Addressing the youth, Anurag Thakur said, “I come from the land that has been credited of producing some of the finest athletes! For years I have executed efforts to ensure that athletes from the region get a fair platform to showcase themselves. I am glad to share that there has been exceptional progress in this aspect and time and again owing to various initiatives undertaken in the area, a host of athletes have benefited be it through HPCA Stadium Dharamshala or events like Khel Mahakumbh. I firmly believe sports help in building character and thus I propose to set up a Cricket and Sports academy in Leh to ensure that youth of the region gets equal opportunity and a platform to excel!”

The Minister marked the Birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by conducting a Swachhta Abhiyan at 18,000 ft with the Indian Army. This is the first time that a Union Minister has visited this area and it is also significant as it is the Prime Minister’s birthday today who has stressed on sustainability, clean water and anti plastic campaign.

Anurag Thakur is the first minister to hoist the National Flag at Khardung La Pass, post abrogation of Article 370.

He is visiting Leh on the behest of Member of Parliament from Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal who invited MoS Finance and Corporate Affairs to attend the famous Naropa Festival as the Chief Guest.