SAG puts state sports complex project on hold

Even as the work on its state level sports complex gets delayed, the Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG) is on its way to set up five district level sports complexes. The sports infrastructure will be set up in districts like Rajkot, Porbandar, Valsad, Anand and Bhavnagar.

At an investment of Rs 1.30 crore each, the infrastructure is likely to come up in next one year. According to RG Trivedi, secretary of SAG, budget provision for the project was made recently. "We had a meeting over budget provision for the district level sports complexes in different cities. Once that is completed, we are now in the process of developing a plan estimate for the same," said Trivedi.

After a plan estimate has been prepared, the sports body is set to invite bids for construction contracts through the Road and Building Department in Gujarat.

Meanwhile, SAG had acquired a 25 acre land for a state-level sports complex in Gandhinagar last year. However, the government body has been asked to put the project on hold. According to Trivedi, Gujarat government has demanded stalling of selection of a project management agency for the same.

The government body was planning to invest around Rs 26-30 crore for the project which was likely to be completed within three years. According to Trivedi, the state-of-the-art complex was proposed to have facilities for both indoor and outdoor games. The complex was likely to feature a 400 metre athletic track, swimming pool, wellodrome for cycling, various playgrounds, and multipurpose indoor hall, among other things.

If constructed, the complex will be utilised to host state-level competitions, apart from providing coaching facilities for sports persons across the state.

Apart from the upcoming state-level sports complex, SAG is setting up district-level sports complexes as well. While 11 of them are on the verge of completion, the body is planning to begin construction in other districts.