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.
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