Madikeri stadium to be ready soon

The work on indoor stadium is in final stage. The work on providing drains to allow the free flow of water from the ground is yet to be started.

The Land Army Corporation has decided to level the athletic track using roller once the region gets heavy rains.

The State government has released Rs 128 lakh for the development of outdoor stadium so far.

It was decided to develop indoor stadium at the cost of Rs 198 lakh. The government has already released a sum of Rs 150 lakh. The remaining Rs 48 lakh needs to be released by the government, said Youth Services and Sports Department Assistant Director Gayathri, to Deccan Herald.

“We require more money for laying wooden flooring for the indoor stadium. If the remaining Rs 48 lakh is released, then the work on wooden flooring, electricity connection, white wash, toilets, bathrooms will be completed within a month,” said Land Army Corporation Working Inspector K S Rajashekar.

The district is facing severe shortage of construction labourers as well. In this background, about 20 migrant labourers from West Bengal and Bihar are engaged in the construction of indoor stadium. On a whole, the district stadium is getting a new look after three to four years.

Kodagu is a land of sports. The district has produced talents in hockey, cricket, athletics, tennis and other sports. Hence, when B S Yeddyurappa was Finance Minister, he had earmarked additional funds for the development of indoor and outdoor stadium.

However, when compared to neighbouring districts like Hassan, Mysore, Tumkur and
Mandya, the stadium in Madikeri was not developed for the last several years. Several districts had fulfledged stadium with a gallery a decade ago. However, the stadium in Kodagu was in a neglected state.

The swimming pool which is situated adjacent to the district stadium too is in neglected state.