RTMNU’s athletics synthetic track getting in shape

By Paritosh Pramanik

Despite several weather interruptions, the work of athletics synthetic track of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University at its Ravi Nagar Sports Complex is going at a fast pace.

The unwanted rains since past one week might be a hindrance but the laying of the synthetic track is being carried out on a war footing with workers even doing ‘extra hours’.

After the black liquid solution spreads at the base of the track, the work of sprinkling black granules and then coating the red layer is being done.

“This is the first layer of red solution after black granules were spread on the entire track. There will be two more layers of red solution. This work is being done at the long jump pit area. Though rains have delayed our progress a bit, we are on time,” Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Department of Physical Education and Sports, RTMNU told ‘The Hitavada.’

The Bhoomipujan of the work (spreading rubber solution on the track) was held last Tuesday by RTMNU Vice-Chancellor Dr Subhash Chaudhari.

The Poly Urithin rubber solution has been spread all over the track which will be completed in 20-22 days.

After that around 10-12 days will be required for marking of lanes.

If all goes as per schedule, the eight-lane synthetic athletics track will be ready for competitions by the month

of June.

Rs 10 cr sanctioned for hockey astro turf at Div Sports Complex

By Paritosh Pramanik

AFTER more than 20 years, the dream of hundreds of players of having a hockey astro turf in Nagpur is going to be fulfilled.

Despite having two hockey grounds in the heart of the city, Nagpur is bereft of a hockey astro turf which has hampered careers of several players.

However, the efforts of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis along with District Collector Vipin Itankar, Divisional Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari and others have now bore fruits.

The Maharashtra State Planning Department, through District Collector, has sanctioned Rs 10 crore for astro turf which will be constructed at the Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur.

Shekhar Patil, Deputy Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, Nagpur, confirmed the news and expressed happiness on getting the funds.

“It’s a great news for all sports lovers, especially hockey players of the region. It is because of the efforts of Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Collector Vipin Itankar, Divisional Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari madam and others, that funds for astro turf has been sanctioned,” Patil, who is also the Secretary of Divisional Sports Complex Committee, told ‘The Hitavada’.

The Divisional Sports Complex off Koradi Road in Mankapur was constructed in 2001 and since then a hockey astro turf was demanded. But previous governments showed little interest. But with the Eknath Shinde-led Government taking charge and Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis taking keen interest in sports infrastructure development, the funds have been allocated.

Earlier this month, the Maharashtra Government had sanctioned Rs 100 crore to the Divisional Sports Complex in Nagpur.

The Maharashtra government had proposed Rs 491 crore State Sports Budget out of which Rs 100 crore was allocated for the Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur.

In an order dated 30.3.2023, District Collector sanctioned Rs 10 crore for astro turf under Sports field development scheme.

According to Patil, a master plan is being prepared and will be submitted to the relevant authorities in a couple of months.

“The astro turf will be constructed behind the athletics synthetic track. There are minute chances in the previous plan,” said Patil.

“Architect Shashi Prabhu along with a few others are working on the master plan and if all goes well, it will be ready in next two months,” hoped Patil.

‘The Hitavada’ has been relentlessly pushing forward the construction of hockey astro turf at Divisional Sports Complex. Many reports were carried out in the newspaper. On occasions, the files were not moved an inch which 

was also reported by this 

newspaper. 

However, with the funds being sanctioned, it seems that the work will begin soon and players would be able to ply their trade on the turf.

Synthetic track material ready, laying work to begin in 8-10 days

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE wait is finally over. After several delays, the laying of synthetic track at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) Sports Complex in Ravi Nagar will commence in a week’s time.

RTMNU’s athletics synthetic track will be second in Nagpur after the one at Divisional Sports Complex, Mankapur.

“The rubber material for the eight-lane synthetic track has already arrived in the city and the work of laying will begin once the World Athletics officials (Observers) arrive in Nagpur,” informed Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Physical Education and Sports Department, RTMNU while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ on Saturday.

“We received the World Athletics approved material two months back. The contractor for the track is Sports Facilities Company Limited, Mumbai. Licensed officials from World Athletics will be arriving in a week’s time and we will start laying off the track in 8-10 days. At present the solution, which will bind the synthetic track, has been applied on the track,” Dr Suryawanshi informed.

The synthetic track is being constructed as per the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) or World Athletics’ norms. It will have eight lanes along with steeple chase, jumping pits for long and triple jumps.

The entire track area is already fenced. The track also has a grass surface football ground in the middle. “The work of the water filtration plant is also over. A sump of around 5 lakh litres has been constructed where the used water of track will be collected and treated. The treated water will then be used to water the football ground,” said Dr Suryawanshi. “An added sump with a capacity of around 2 lakh litres has also been constructed to store the overflowing water from the bigger sump,” added Dr Suryawanshi, who is also Secretary of Nagpur District Athletics Association.

State Government grants Rs 44.41 cr for RTMNU indoor sports complex

By Paritosh Pramanik

SPORTS is getting its deserving due in Nagpur. The State Government, which has recently granted Rs 100 crore for Divisional Sports Complex a few days ago, has okayed financial assistance worth crores of rupees for the development of multi-storied sports complex of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU).

Already, the laying work of synthetic athletics track of RTMNU at its Ravi Nagar Sports Complex is in final stages. The material (track rubber) will be laid in a few days’ time. On its heels has come the new announcement. 

Celebrating its centenary year, RTMNU had requested the Maharashtra Government for funds for construction of an international standard sports complex on its land situated off Ravi Nagar.

The State Government, in a major decision, granted Rs 44,41,38,000 for construction of indoor sports complex, on Wednesday.

The international standard multi-storied sports complex will come up behind Subhedar Hall on around three acres of RTMNU land.

‘The Hitavada’ was first to report about RTMNU’s plans to construct indoor sports complex in its centenary year.

“We had requested the State Government for funds for construction of an international standard sports complex. I am thankful to the Government for sanctioning the funds. The structural plan is ready and we will perform the bhoomipujan as soon as possible,” said an elated Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Department of Sports and Physical Education, RTMNU while talking with ‘The Hitavada’, on Wednesday.

The three-storied indoor sports complex will house international standard volleyball, basketball, handball courts, table tennis area, wrestling rings, separate kabaddi and gymnastic areas, squash area, gymnasium, sports medicine room apart from rest rooms, changing rooms, store rooms on every floor with lift facilities.

“We will be using the space very sensibly. We will try to make hanging basketball boards so that the area can be utilised for other sports as well. We will also decide later about the slots to each sport,” informed Dr Suryawanshi, who is a former international runner.

The construction work will be done by the Public Works Department. “The structural map has been already sanctioned. We will not waste any time in starting the work,” assured Dr Suryawanshi.

To make the indoor stadium one of the best in the country, Dr Suryawanshi, along with former Director Dr Dhananjay Welukar, Arjuna awardee Vijay Munishwar, architect Aanand Sarda, had visited Manipal Indoor Sports Complex, NIT Suratkal, Karnataka and Savitribai Phule Pune University. They studied the structure and planning in and around the sports complexes and prepared the best possible design.

“At our indoor sports complex, which would be three-storied, the seating arrangement will be detachable. That will help us in utilising space as per our need,” Dr Suryawanshi elaborated.

Apart from this, RTMNU is also planning a sports hostel adjacent to the indoor hall.

“A youth/sports hostel is also in our scheme of things. However, that will be done in the second phase. Our priority is to give our city the best indoor sports complex in the country,” Dr Suryawanshi concluded.

Divisional Sports Complex gets Rs 100 cr boost

Deputy Director (Sports) Patil says, funds would be used to develop best sports infrastructure

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE Maharashtra government has proposed Rs 491 crore State Sports Budget out of which Rs 100 crore has been allocated for the Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur. 

The sports complex, which is spread on 61 acres of land, has an athletics synthetic track apart from a multi-sport indoor hall at present.

Since its official inauguration in 2001, the development of the Sports Complex is at snail’s pace. However, with Rs 100 crore allocated for the infrastructure development, it seems that more facilities would be added in near future.

In January, 2020, the then State Government had proposed an ambitious Divisional Sports Complex expansion plan worth Rs 123 crore. The plan included construction of an international standard swimming pool, shooting range, hockey astro turf, a multipurpose sports indoor hall, an athletics track for practice apart from renovation of the present indoor hall.

The hockey astro turf and shooting range were proposed at the far corner of the premises, behind the athletics synthetic track gallery.

But nothing moved since that announcement.

Shekhar Patil, Deputy Director, Sports, said that it is a good news that such a huge amount is proposed for Divisional Sports Complex in the State budget.

“Its a very good news for all Nagpurians. Rs 100 Crore allocation for Divisional Sports Complex will help in developing best sports facilities at the complex.

“The process of increasing and improving facilities have already been started and we will meet again soon to discuss the way ahead,” Patil told ‘The Hitavada’ on Thursday.

“We will try to provide the best infrastructures to the athletes. Grounds for various sports, be it football, hockey, or swimming pool, sports science centre, sports hostel will be definitely developed with this fund,” assured Patil.

When asked when the meeting regarding allocation of work will be held, Patil said, “the assembly session is going on in Mumbai and our Sports Development Committee will be meeting soon to chalk out the plan.”

The committee includes District Guardian Minister, Divisional Commissioner, Commissioner of Police, Deputy Director of Sports among others.