In an effort to support the growth of sports in the state, the Kochi
Corporation has mooted some major projects this year which will give a
boost to the sports infrastructure of the city. The civic body is
planning to implement the projects with the support of MLAs from
Ernakulam and the State Government.
Among the proposals, the
long-pending demand of Fort Kochi to have a good ground for
organising various competition will be fulfilled this year as the state
government had given the administrative sanction for remodeling the Fort
Kochi Veli Ground into an advanced Track and Field-cum-Football
Ground.
The plan is to set up a 400 metres track at the stadium
along with an improved turf for organising football matches. The project
is being carried out by utilising the Asset Formation Fund of the State
Government through Dominic Presentation MLA. The estimated cost for
restructuring the ground is `5 crore.
“We have already entrusted
PWD and Kochi Corporation to come up with the design which is expected
to be completed soon. We hope that the tender for the work can be
floated by next month,” said Dominic Presentation MLA.
Football Ground at Palluruthy
The
civic body is also planning to set up a cricket and football ground at
Palluruthy. The facility would be set up at the land owned by Kochi
Corporation there. According to Kochi Corporation authorities, Excise
and Port Minister K Babu has already expressed his support to the
project. The expected cost is estimated at Rs 2 crore.
Sports Training Centre
With
the help of Benny Behnan MLA, the civic body will also launch a project
for setting up sports training centre for school students.
The
Elamkulam West UP School will be developed into a sports training
centre which will give students an opportunity to sharpen and develop
their athletic skills.
A total of Rs 1 crore from the Asset Formation Fund is expected to be utilised for the facility.
In
its annual budget for 2013-14, the Kochi Corporation also said that the
construction works of Valummal Stadium at Thoppumpady is expected to be
completed this year.
The work of the Valummal Stadium is
progressing for which the MP fund of Union Minister of State for Food
and Civil Supplies K V Thomas is being utilised.
