Work on turf ground nearing completion

The work on laying synthetic turf on the playground of the first sports residential school in Koodige has reached the final stage.

The work has moved at a snail’s pace for the last three years.

The Koodige Sports School established in 1982-83 has produced many state and national level sports talents. Athlete Prameela Ayyappa from the same institute had taken part in the Olympics. Students of the sports school, Ravi Nayak and Shobha have emerged as international hockey players. As many as 14 students of the school have bagged Ekalavya awards, said sports coach Antony D’Souza.

But the inmates of the school did not have a state-of-the-art ground for years. After practising in the mud ground of the Koodige Sports Residential School, the budding sports talents found it difficult to perform on turf grounds.

The Department of Youth and Sports Department sanctioned the work on constructing the turf ground at a cost of Rs 3.42 crore three years ago. But, as the funds were not released on time, the project was delayed. About 91.4/55 metre ground was levelled in the first phase.

The works could be resumed only after the release of grants in the second phase, during January.

The ground was later asphalted before being covered with green turf mat.

The work is expected to be complete before the onset of monsoon.

Sim Carts, a New Delhi based company has availed the tender for the work.