The SAS Nagar Mohali is all set to create a new distinction in the country with largest number of International Sports Stadiums per capita population with the completion of 7 Sports Stadiums by June this year. The Stadiums would be inaugurated on a single day that would also mark the inauguration of three-nation hockey tournament.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, the brain behind making Mohali as a sports hub of the country, today made a whirlwind tour of all the stadiums to review the progress and to suggest improvements in some stadiums. Mr. Badal landed in Hockey Stadium just opposite PCA and felt that this stadium was far-far better than Olympic stadium of London and asked authorities to create separate rooms for International Coaches being hired by the authorities.
Impressing upon the need for proper parking space for the spectators especially during tournament, Mr. Badal asked GMADA to develop area between Hockey Stadium and Indoor Stadium from where Nullah Passes, landscape beautified and developed it as multi-storeyed parking with food court and other facilities. While going through the progress of Indoor Stadium, Mr. Badal asked the planners to create spectator galleries and ensure lighting facilities as per the Olympic specifications for day and night performances.
Mr. Badal also visited Sector 78 stadium and asked the GMADA to lay out international standard synthetic track besides sufficient space for the spectators. He also instructed to create hostel facility for two hundred players with residential facility for coaches besides an international level cafeteria.Stressing the need for early completion for Institution of Excellence headquarter at Sector 78 stadium, Mr. Badal said that this institution would be the nodal authority for upkeep and maintenance of all stadiums.
During review visits in the stadiums, Secretary Sports Mr. Ashok Gupta and Director Sports Shiv Dular Singh informed the Deputy Chief Minister that Sports Stadium of Sector 59 would witness two world class Badminton Courts, Table Tennis Hall, Swimming Pool, Toddler Pool and an international standard Basket Court. They said that this world class stadium would become operational for international event by May, 15, 2013. They also informed the Deputy Chief Minister about the facilities to be provided at Sector 61 Sports Stadium, which would have world class indoor sports portions including two Badminton Courts, two Table Tennis Halls and a state-of-the-art Gym besides having a Basketball Court, Volleyball Court, Skating Rink, Football Ground and two Tennis Courts. This stadium would be become operational after May 15.
Expressing satisfaction over the construction and wooden work at Sector 78 Sports Stadium, Mr. Badal directed the officials to ensure the early completion of pending works, so it could be made operational before June. Secretary Sports and Director Sports also informed Mr. Badal that Sports Stadiums in Sectors 63, 65, 69, 71 and 78 respectively would have world class Badminton Courts, Squash Courts, Table Tennis Hall, Swimming Pools, Toddler Pool, Gym, Squash Court, Gymnastic Hall, Boxing Ring, Wrestling Ring, Skating, Lawn Tennis, Velodrome, Cricket Practice Ground and Multipurpose Football Ground. They also apprised the Deputy Chief Minister that all the stadiums in Mohali have been constructed at the cost of Rs. 66 crores.Prominent amongst those were present on the occasion included Mr. N.K. Sharma, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, A. Venu Prasad, Secretary Housing and Urban Development, Mr. Ajay Mahajan and Mr. Manvesh Singh Sidhu, both Special Principal Secretaries to Deputy Chief Minister.