Union Ministers Mansukh Mandaviya and H. D. Kumaraswamy laid the foundation stone for a ₹14-crore multi-purpose indoor sports complex in Mandya, Karnataka, under the Central government’s Khelo India scheme. The project is aimed at strengthening sports infrastructure in the region and encouraging grassroots-level sports development among youth.

The upcoming sports complex will be constructed within the campus of the University of Agricultural Sciences at VC Farm in Mandya. Officials said the facility is expected to provide modern indoor sports infrastructure and training opportunities for aspiring athletes from Mandya and nearby districts. The ministers urged local youth to build a stronger sporting culture under the slogan “Khelo India! Vibrant Mandya!” and contribute to producing future national and international champions.

Speaking at the event, Mandaviya said the Khelo India initiative was launched to revive sports culture at the grassroots level and transform India into a leading sporting nation. He highlighted that the Narendra Modi government has significantly expanded investment in sports infrastructure over the last decade. According to the minister, the latest Union Budget allocated ₹4,000 crore for sports infrastructure compared to nearly ₹1,200 crore ten years ago.

Mandaviya also praised Mandya for producing notable sportspersons who have represented India nationally and internationally. He mentioned discus thrower Vikas Gowda and wheelchair tennis player K. P. Shilpa as examples of athletes who have brought recognition to the district and inspired younger generations.

Kumaraswamy described the sports complex as a long-pending demand of the region and said the project became possible after approval under the Khelo India scheme. He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Sports Ministry for supporting the proposal and emphasized that youth empowerment remains a major priority of the government. The minister also stated that work on the facility would begin quickly and efforts were underway to attract more industrial and infrastructure investments to the Mandya region.

Apart from the sports infrastructure announcement, the programme also featured several corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives focused on social welfare and accessibility. During the event, electric vehicles were distributed to 388 persons with disabilities under CSR programmes supported by Tata Consultancy Services and Steel Authority of India Limited.

In addition, Infosys donated 500 desktop computers and 100 laptops to government schools in the district to support digital learning and educational infrastructure. The Hinduja Group also donated a modern ambulance to the Mandya Institute of Medical Sciences under its CSR initiative.

The event also witnessed an emotional moment when Kumaraswamy became visibly moved while handing over electric vehicles to specially-abled beneficiaries. According to reports, several beneficiaries thanked the minister personally, leading to an emotional interaction during the distribution ceremony.

Local supporters welcomed the ministers with a massive jaggery garland during a grand procession at the venue, highlighting Mandya’s reputation as Karnataka’s major sugar-producing region. Officials said the new indoor sports complex is expected to encourage greater sports participation, improve training facilities, and strengthen Karnataka’s sporting ecosystem in the coming years.