Amritsar, September 5, : Union Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Dr. M. S. Gill has expressed a wish and hope that Indian sportspersons bring more glory to the country by increasing their medal tally at the 2012 London Olympics.

Citing the example of China, which got its first medal in Olympics in 1982 and now stood first in the medal list of Olympics, Gill said; “Though we have won three medals in Beijing Olympics, we would certainly achieve more medals in the next London Olympics in many more games.”

Speaking after inaugurating a Indoor Shooting Range of international standards and the Asia House Building at Guru Nanak Dev University Campus here, Gill said that Government of India through the Sports Authority of India would also lay a new astro turf at the Guru Nanak Dev University Campus costing about Rs. 30 million.

The indoor shooting range has been built at a cost of Rs. 3.6 million rupees by the university from its own sources.

Twenty-two shooters could shoot the target at a time. It has a sitting capacity of 150 spectators. A separate arrangement has been made for the judges.

Guru Nanak Dev University is the only University of India, which has an indoor shooting range of international standard.

Gill said the old hockey astro turf would be shifted to rural areas of Tarn Taran District.

He further hoped that this university would contribute its maximum talent for the Commonwealth Games, London Olympics and other International sports competitions.

Gill later told media persons that the Government of India is providing maximum sports facilities both in urban and rural areas to promote sports.

While revealing the details of the preparations of Common wealth games Gill said that with the Commonwealth games approaching, preparations are in full swing in Delhi.

He said that the construction of a number of stadiums, fly over and other things were in progress in New Delhi to successfully conduct the games.

Among the other distinguished personalities present on the occasion included Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dr. Jai Rup Singh; Registrar, Dr. R. S. Bawa; Dean Academic Affairs, Dr. Raghbir Singh, Director of Research, Dr. S. S. Chahal, Director Sports, Dr. Kanwaljit Singh and a large number of University teachers, officers, and students. (ANI)