Indoor sports complex to come up on 3-acre land in Ram Darbar

The UT Sports Department is planning to set up a sports complex— this time at Ram Darbar— making another addition to the dozen-strong list of complexes under the administration.

The department has already earmarked 3 acres (approximate) of land for the indoor sports complex—the first in the area. Initially, the department had planned to build a 200m athletics track and facilities for other team sports. However, after holding discussions with the stakeholders and residents, the department has decided to have an indoor facility for housing events like judo, boxing, weightlifting and other individual sport— while also considering the demand to area.

The complex is likely to have capacity of hosting 350 to 500 players. Meetings with other departments of the administration have already been held.

“The department has around 3.6 acres of land, which has been identified for the project. Meetings with the localities were already held, and it has been decided to develop the centre for individual sport, so that the players of the locality can be benefited. The approvals, planning and tendering will take place soon,” said Sorabh Kumar Arora, Director Sports, UT Administration.

Earlier this year, the department had announced a multipurpose indoor sports hall and an Olympics-size swimming pool on the land measuring about 20 acres, earmarked at the Sector 42 Sports Complex for both projects.

The proposed multi-purpose hall is expected to cater various sports disciplines, including badminton, judo, boxing, wrestling, table tennis, fencing, volleyball, basketball, handball, kabbadi, netball, taekwondo and gymnastics.

Notably, the city already has over a dozen sports facilities for players as well as for amateurs. Recently, the department announced to upgrade the Sector 38 Sports Complex as exclusive badminton centre, installed air conditioner at some facilities of the Sector 42 Sports Complex and on the verge of starting converting the Sector 39 indoor swimming pool into the second all-weather facility under the department.

“The sports complex will be a great boost for the youngsters of the area, as majority of them come from humble backgrounds. The introduction of individual disciplines, and indigenous events like kho-kho, kabaddi will allow the youngsters to spend their time in a useful manner,” said Raghu, one of the localities.

The majority of the indoor sports complexes build on the land of the education departments, and maintained by the sports department, hosts similar facilities mainly featuring a multipurpose hall and an indoor swimming pool.

“Having a vast infrastructure, Chandigarh should focus now focus on conducting championships. The city should also bid for national level events and introduce round the year tournaments for the local players,” said Gurcharan Singh Gill, associate professor, physical education, at a local college.