The Finance Minister, Shri Arun Jaitley has provided a sum of ₹ 200 crore in General Budget 2014-15 for upgrading the indoor and outdoor sports stadiums to international standards in Jammu and in Kashmir valley. In his maiden Budget Speech in Parliament here today, Shri Jaitley said that Jammu and Kashmir has a lot of sporting talent which is not finding expression due to inadequate sports facilities.

The Finance Minister also proposed to set-up a sports university in Manipur with a provision of ₹ 100 crore in the current financial year. He also set aside a sum of ₹ 100 crore for the training of sports women and men for the upcoming Asian and Commonwealth Games.

Highlighting the importance of sports in personality development, Shri Jaitley said that Government will set-up national level Sports Academies for major games in different parts of the country to mainstream sports.

The Finance Minister, Shri Jaitley said that to help the youth find right jobs, employment exchanges will be transformed into career centers which will extend counseling facilities to the youth for selecting the jobs best suited to their ability and aptitude. He has set aside a sum of ₹ 100 crore in the current financial year for this purpose. Shri Jaitley also launched “A Young Leadership Programme” with an initial allocation of ₹ 100 crore in the current Budget.

Budgetary allocations for sports infrastructure and youth programmes support stadium upgrades, university creation, training and career services. Provision of targeted budgetary allocations to develop sports infrastructure and associated human capital through multiple directed programmes. Funds are earmarked to upgrade stadiums to international standards in Jammu and Kashmir, establish a Sports University in Manipur, finance athlete training for international competitions, create national Sports Academies, convert employment exchanges into career centres with counselling, and launch a Young Leadership Programme, all financed within the current financial year.