Mangaluru : Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said here on Friday that the State government will reserve Rs.3 crore each in the 2025-26 Budget for upgrading Mangala stadium in Mangaluru and Mahatma Gandhi stadium in Udupi.

Addressing a gathering after inaugurating Karnataka State Games 2025 at the at Mangala stadium, Mr. Siddaramaiah said Mangaluru City South MLA D. Vedavyas Kamath has demanded funds for further development of facilities at the Mangala stadium. “In the next Budget ₹3 crore each will be sanctioned for further development of stadium here and for development of stadium in Udupi.” The government will provide all necessary facilities, including trainers, that will help sportspersons from the State excel in national and international sports meets.

To another demand by president of Karnataka Olympic Association K. Govindaraj, Mr. Siddaramaiah said he will discuss in the Cabinet about giving grace marks for sportspersons (students) who take part in national and international events. “I assure positive action on the demand,” he said.

The Chief Minister said the government would reserve 3% of posts in uniformed forces (like police, fire) and 2% of posts in other departments for national and international level sportspersons of the State.

Pointing out at positive effects on physical and mental health by participating in sports, Mr. Siddaramaiah asked youth to actively engage in sports. The government is holding sports events across the State to further increase participation of youth in the events. The government wants to provide enough opportunities for sportspersons in the State to excel in their respective disciplines, he said.

Sportspersons from across the state took part in the cultural procession taken out from T.M.A. Pai Hall to Mangala Stadium. As many as 4,500 athletes will take part in 12 sporting events in Mangaluru, 11 in Udupi and two in Bengaluru as part of State Games, which will conclude on January 23.

Earlier, Mr. Siddramaiah skipped attending the ‘Bahu Samkruti Utsava’ at the Town Hall in Mangaluru, which was later inaugurated by Speaker U.T. Khader.

The utsava had been organised by language and cultural academies of the State.