City’s first Olympic-size swimming pool a step closer to reality

Considering the requirement of a multipurpose indoor sports hall and an Olympics-size swimming pool, land measuring about 20 acres has been earmarked at the Sector 42 Sports Complex for both projects.

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A team comprising officials of the departments of sports, urban planning and engineering recently visited Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Sector 3, Panchkula; and the National Institute of Sports, Patiala, to study the infrastructure there. They will prepare a proposal for multi-purpose hall, sports hostel and city’s first Olympic-size swimming pool.

A meeting in this regard was held today with UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria. The Administrator directed the officials concerned to prepare a detailed proposal and send it to the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports for getting funds under the Khelo India Scheme.

The proposed multi-purpose hall will cater to various sports disciplines, including badminton, judo, boxing, wrestling, table tennis, fencing, volleyball, basketball, handball, kabbadi, netball, taekwondo and gymnastics. It will be developed as per the international standards and will have all facilities required for conducting international and national events. The Administrator stressed that building a strong sports culture in Chandigarh could help curb drug abuse among the youth.

The city already has over a dozen sports facilities for players as well as for amateurs.

Reports highlighting the need for these facilities have been repeatedly carried in these columns.

A fresh push to old project

In 2015, the UT Sports Department tried to get approval for setting up a mini-sports complex in the existing Sector 42 complex. Earlier, the permission was sought from the Urban Planning Department, which, in November 2014, turned down the proposal. According to sources, the Chief Architect Office, Department of Urban Planning, put up the condition of not damaging the ‘forest area’ for constructing a new arena at the sports complex. In a letter issued on November 21 (2014), the Urban Planning Department wrote to the Director, Sports Department, stating, “No further additions should be made to the Sports Complex, Sector 42. The forest area, comprising trees, shrubs and nestled by a large number of beautiful birds should be preserved as the city’s heritage.” The department was planning a new football and hockey stadiums on the same land.

The plan of having a new south complex was submitted in 2012. The demand was put up for having a 12-acre complex with a synthetic hockey turf and stadium, along with a football ground. There was also a provision to have a common canteen, changing rooms, medical room and systematic parking area. An all-weather swimming pool, along with a gym and special exercise centre, was also proposed.

Jobs for meritorious sportspersons

Kataria also directed the officials of the Sports Department to prepare a policy for giving employment to eminent sports persons in Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ posts.