<p>The stadium was closed for relaying the synthetic track on April 27. But even after the work was completed in August, the gates remained shut, leaving the athletes frustrated.<br /><br />They were forced to train outside in far from ideal conditions but with the Department of Youth Services and Sports deciding to go ahead with the inauguration, they can finally return to their favourite training area.<br /><br />“It’s great news for us. Now we don’t have to struggle outside the stadium or travel all the way to Sports Authority of India in Kengeri to train on a synthetic track,” said veteran coach VR Beedu, while Karnataka Athletics Association secretary Sathyanarayana echoed his feelings.<br /><br />A simple function has been planned for the inauguration at 10.00 am on Monday, and former track and field stars of the State, including Kenneth Powell and Ashwini Nachappa, are likely to attend. Sports Minister Goolihatti D Shekhar too is expected to attend but given the political uncertainty in the State, his presence will be doubtful.<br />The State Junior championships will be the first competition on the new track, with the decision coming in the nick of time for the November 3-5 meet. It will be followed the Bangalore University inter-collegiate championships from November 6.<br />Work on the warm-up track, meanwhile, is yet to begin.</p>
<p>The stadium was closed for relaying the synthetic track on April 27. But even after the work was completed in August, the gates remained shut, leaving the athletes frustrated.<br /><br />They were forced to train outside in far from ideal conditions but with the Department of Youth Services and Sports deciding to go ahead with the inauguration, they can finally return to their favourite training area.<br /><br />“It’s great news for us. Now we don’t have to struggle outside the stadium or travel all the way to Sports Authority of India in Kengeri to train on a synthetic track,” said veteran coach VR Beedu, while Karnataka Athletics Association secretary Sathyanarayana echoed his feelings.<br /><br />A simple function has been planned for the inauguration at 10.00 am on Monday, and former track and field stars of the State, including Kenneth Powell and Ashwini Nachappa, are likely to attend. Sports Minister Goolihatti D Shekhar too is expected to attend but given the political uncertainty in the State, his presence will be doubtful.<br />The State Junior championships will be the first competition on the new track, with the decision coming in the nick of time for the November 3-5 meet. It will be followed the Bangalore University inter-collegiate championships from November 6.<br />Work on the warm-up track, meanwhile, is yet to begin.</p>
