Sports complex of intl standards to come up in Dharwad

Here is some good news for the athletes in the twin cities.

The three-year-long struggle by sports personalities and elected representatives for getting a sports complex of international standards has finally materialised.

Along with education, Dharwad has always encouraged sportsmen in raising to the national and international level. Several young athletes have carved a niche for themselves in the field of wrestling, Kabaddi, kho-kho, judo, karate, basketball, and swimming.

However, it was a long pending demand of the swimmers to have a swimming pool of international standards so that many youths can scale up to international level.

ONGC providing funds

Going by the aspirations of the sportsmen, the Oil & Natural Gas Commission (ONGC) has decided to construct a sports complex near the existing swimming pool complex at DC Compound in Dharwad.

This sports complex is coming up under the Corporate Social responsibility of the ONGC which has been donating for education and sports fields.

The existing swimming pool which was inaugurated in 1970, had been jinxed and remained closed for most of the time due to one or the other reason. Lack of maintenance by the HDMC had rendered the pool unusable and had disappointed many swimming enthusiasts.

Earlier, Karnatak University and Education Department conducted swimming competitions for the students every year, but due to absence of a proper swimming pool, these competitions were stopped.

The HDMC had spent lakhs of rupees for renovation of the pool but due to shoddy work, the pool had returned to a bad shape again.

Keen interest

Dharwad MP Prahlad Joshi and Hubballi-Dharwad West MLA Arvind Bellad had evinced interest in reviving the pool and after persisting for three years, the ONGC has come forward to fund the construction of the sports complex.

The ONGC will be spending Rs 13.68 crore for the construction of the sports complex in Dharwad.

The present swimming pool is situated in the premises of deputy commissioner’s office compound and recently the land was earmarked for the sports complex.

The plan has been prepared with technical guidance from IIT-Delhi and School of Planning & Architects. The IIRD Company will take up the construction.

The ONGC has already released Rs four crore for the project and it is expected to be completed in 18 months. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, who will be in Dharwad to take part in the centenary year celebration of 'Prasada Nilaya' at Murughamutt, would perform the bhoomi puja for the project on September 9.

Facilities

The sports complex will have a basement, ground, first floor, and second floor.

The basement will have space for parking of vehicles and a canteen. There will be eight shops along the compound wall facing the road. Inside the complex, there will be two swimming pools, one for the children and another of international standard measuring 50x30 feet for adults, and a kabaddi court.

The first and second floors will have badminton court, squash, and facilities for other indoor games. There will also be a separate gymnasium for women and men.