Karnataka govt plans a new look for Bengaluru's Sree Kanteerava Stadium

Karnataka Youth Empowerment and Sports Minister KC Narayana Gowda on Thursday unveiled a grand plan to modernize Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium, which he said will be done at an estimated cost of Rs 1,500 crore.

“The plan is to upgrade the stadium on public-private partnership (PPP). The detailed project report is ready. Talks are on and soon we will give it final shape,” Gowda said, after reviewing this with officials.

“The blueprint for the indoors and the entire stadium premises is ready. This will include a multi-storey building, 3-star and 5-star hotels, parking and commercial establishments,” Gowda said.

A similar PPP model will be explored to develop stadia in districts, the minister said. “If private companies come forward, the government has decided to hold talks with them. We’ve also discussed utilizing corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds,” he added.

According to Gowda, the idea is to increase the number of sportspersons in the state participating in the Olympics. “We must make ready 100+ athletes across the 14 Olympic sports and of them, at least 50 athletes should become eligible,” he said.

Gowda’s department has decided to seek an allocation of Rs 1,000 crore in the upcoming state budget. “When compared with Punjab and Haryana, the allocation for sports in our state is less. So, we want to increase it three times and make it at least Rs 1,000 crore,” Gowda said.

The minister also pulled up officials when he found low expenditure against the district-level allocation of funds. “If the allocated funds are not used, it can potentially spoil the life of athletes,” he said and warned officials of action.The government is working on a new policy intervention aimed at the youth, Gowda said. “We will give the Youth Policy a new form. We plan to organize youth melas to help them prepare the right mindset and skills. These melas will also be converted as job melas. There are 2.5 crore youths in the state and the new policy will make sure all of them get involved,” he said.