Udupi: Pramod Madhwaraj, Minister of State for Fisheries, Youth Empowerment and Sports, said on Wednesday that the State government will promote water adventure sports activities at the Malpe-Padukere beach to give a fillip to tourism in the district.

He was addressing the gathering after unfurling the national flag at the Mahatma Gandhi Bayalu Ranga Mandira at the Rajyotsava Day function organised by the district administration, here.

Mr. Madhwaraj said that already two acres of land had been reserved at the Padukere beach. This land would be handed over to the Department of Sports and Youth Empowerment soon. The government was already in talks with the General Thimayya National Academy of Adventure. A cricket ground would be created on 5.5 acres of land at the Gandhi Maidan in Brahmavar. There too, a move is on to transfer land to the Department of Sports and Youth Empowerment.

The District Sports Hostel in Udupi would be upgraded. So far it was providing admissions only to students of high school. Henceforth, sportspersons pursuing their education till II PU would be admitted to the hostel where they would be given free sports coaching, education and residential facilities.

Cultural programmes by school students, an attractive parade and presentation of district-level Rajyotsava awards were the other highlights of the function.