WATCH : Sports Minister replies to concerns raised on outdoor fitness centers project

May 5, 2021 at 9:31 PM

Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa has issued a clarification on the construction of 500 outdoor exercise and fitness centres using containers in selected places in the country.

The Cabinet yesterday approved a proposal to build 500 outdoor gymnasiums islandwide using containers, under the theme ‘Let’s win’.

Commenting on the concerns raised on the project, Minister Rajapaksa said given the current situation, the Ministry has decided to begin only the preliminary work.

“There is no doubt the priority of the Government is the current covid situation. Building a healthier society too contributes toward this,” he posted in Facebook.

The project is aimed at inculcating an active lifestyle in the youth and providing some catalyst for progress in the field of sports.
The estimated cost of the project is Rs. 625 million, and it will benefit 100,000 members of the public and about 5000 athletes a year.

The project is expected to delegate the responsibility of running these centres to youth clubs and sports clubs at the local level and to employ at least one coach.

Accordingly, the Cabinet has approved the proposal made by Sports Minister Namal Rajapaksa to implement the project in the 2021-2022 periods.

As per the proposal, 250 outdoor gymnasiums will be constructed using containers at selected locations islandwide by 2021. (NewsWire)