NDTV

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 17: The government of Kerala is planning a sports lottery - Kalimidukkinori Kaineetam, or helping hand - to promote sports in the state.

The tickets priced at Rs 100 each will be launched on 17 November in Thiruvananthapuram. The draw for the first prize of Rs two crore will be on 26 January 2007.

The government has approached Brazilian football legend Pele and track and field great Carl Lewis among others to participate in the event.

"National sports persons, international sport persons - Pele and Carl Lewis are expected to come in solidarity with sports campaigns in this corner of the world," said Finance Minister Thomas Issac.

Kerala has produced a host of prominent sports persons from PT Usha, Shiny Wilson, Anju Bobby George K M Beenamol, IM Vijayan to Sreesanth.

Sports budget

Due to lack of infrastructure at grassroots level not many sports people are coming up. As of now the Kerala Government provides just Rs 10 crore for sports from its annual budget.

But the new scheme envisages to mobilize Rs 200 crore by selling two crore tickets. Local bodies and sports clubs will also sell the tickets and receive a 27 percent commission on sales.

"It will be converted as a mass movement not just selling lottery tickets but creating an enthusiasm for sports and also rally people for mass sports culture in the State," Issac said.

With the State Government planning to invest about Rs 100 crore for improving the infrastructure facilities in sports during the next two years, sports persons can expect best of facilities to excel and bring laurels to the state and the nation.