LUCKNOW, Aug. 9 -- Chunar (in Mirzapur district) MLA Anurag Singh has requested the state government for the construction of a swimming pool and other sporting facilities for better development of the youth of his area, saying they deserve to have a pool for training as well as for competition. Only last week, the Hindustan Times raised the issue that the young swimmers of Chunar lack an Olympic-size pool and have no option but to train in the Ganga. Singh, who also happens to be the BJP whip in state legislative assembly, in his letter to the UP's sports minister and the principal secretary (sports) has requested for the construction of a swimming pool and other sporting facilities for the swimmers of his area. "On my priority list, education and sports come on top as through these two things, one can help the younger generation progress well in their lives. I am making a sincere effort in this direction and requesting all concerned to help us establish the sporting facilities in the area," Singh said on Friday. "As per the announcement of CM Yogi Adityanath Ji, a mini stadium is being developed by the youth welfare department in Media village of Chunar. I have demanded a seating capacity of 2,000 spectators, an area for walking and a swimming pool as these are the genuine requirements of the people here," he added. "In fact, swimming isn't only a sport for the people of this area, but also a way of survival in terms of getting jobs and recognition in the society," he said. This isn't the maiden initiative of local politician Singh for sports as he has been instrumental in conducting Chunar Premier League under the auspices of the Vindhya Cricket Association on a regular basis for the last few years. Top teams of Uttar Pradesh, including Lucknow, Prayagraj, Lakhimpur, Sultanpur, Pratapgarh and North Eastern Railway have been regular features of the event. Before excelling in the cash-rich Indian Premier League in 2025, leg spinner Vipraj Nigam remained the man-of-the-tournament in the Chunar Premier League. Before him, many Ranji Trophy cricketers like Shivakant Shukla too entertained local fans. Interestingly, not only the cricket events, Chunar has been conducting regular girl kabaddi tournaments, volleyball events and even a men's football football tournament. Currently, over 300 sportspersons, including 100 in cricket, 50 in football, 50 in badminton and others in kabaddi, are there. "It's really painful to see that our talented swimmers are training in the Ganga as they don't have a swimming pool in the area, where almost every house has a swimmer. After learning the basics here, they go to various sports hostels and sports colleges for further training and many of them have been winning medals at the national level, but not at the international level," said Singh, adding, "If they get the top-class facility here, I am sure Chunar would be able to produce world-class swimmers from here.' "Chunar is full of sporting potential and what we need is to train those talents locally first so that they could qualify for further training and win medals for Uttar Pradesh at the national and international levels," said Singh, who has sanctioned the installation of flood lights at the mini stadium through his Vidhayak Nidhi. "I wish that our next Chunar Cricket League in January-February will be played under the lights as the installation of the flood lights is set to begin soon," he said. "My mission is to establish Chunar as the first Modern Khel Gaon of Uttar Pradesh," Singh said....