SAG to invest Rs 30 crore in state-level sports complex

Having acquired a 25 acre land, Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG) is now gearing up to build a massive state-level sports complex in Gandhinagar. The government body will be investing around Rs 26-30 crore for the project which is likely to be completed within three years.

According to MM Pathan, secretary of SAG, the state-of-the-art complex proposes to have facilities for both indoor and outdoor games. What's more, the sports body is about to zero in on consultancy agency to prepare a project management report for the upcoming sports complex.

"We have invited EOIs from around 15 parties of which we have finalised four agencies. We will soon be appointing one of the four agencies to prepare a project management report and to design the sports complex. Thereafter, we will begin outsourcing construction to various parties soon," said Pathan. The complex will feature a 400 metre athletic track, swimming pool, wellodrome for cycling, various playgrounds, and multipurpose indoor hall, among other things.

The complex will be utilised to host state-level competitions, apart from providing coaching facilities for sportspersons 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.

To further boost sports in the state, SAG is planning to host 'Khel Maha Kumbh', a state-level competition as part of Gujarat's 50 years anniversary. "We are expecting around 5,000 participants at the state-level competition," Pathan added.