Meeting to be held to discuss new Khelo India Centre for Chandigarh

The Chandigarh Sports Council has called upon the officials of Chandigarh Football Association (CFA) and coaches of the UT Sports Department to discuss the opening of a new Khelo India Centre (KIC) in the city.

A meeting in this regard has been called on Friday, at the Sector 46 Sports Complex. Along with these officials, the meeting will be also attended by the Chief Architect, UT Administration; Chief Engineer, UT Administration; and ACFA of the Sports Council and three coaches. Set to held under the chairpersonship of Director Sports, the meeting will be held at 11.30 am.

“The meeting has been calles to discuss opening of a Khelo India Centre on the similar lines of the already existed hockey (academy) programme. The facility can be turned into a fully football stadium or some other plans can be discussed to develop the Khelo India Centre,” said a source privy to the matter.

Currently, the stadium also offers facilities of athletics and basketball. The official further added, “The meeting has been called for discussing opening more Khelo India Centre under the banner of the Khelo India Centre of Excellence.”

Notably, the UT Sports Department had in 2023 submitted a proposal to the Union Sports Ministry for approving the setting up of 12 mini KICs in the city. The department had proposed centres for 12 separate events, including two traditional events, in the city. Sources claimed that those include a mini KIC for archery at the Lake Sports Complex, one for boxing at the Sector-56 Sports Complex, a centre for gatka at Sector 43, a judo centre at Sector 34, KICs for kho-kho, kabaddi, volleyball, weightlifting at Sector 42 and one for mallakhamba at Sector 7 Sports Complex. Besides, a KIC for squash at Sector 43, a centre for swimming at Sector 23 all-weather pool and another one for wrestling at Mani Majra.