NDFA’s Dr Ambedkar Stadium taking shape

By Paritosh Pramanik
January 3, 2020
IF ALL goes well, football in city will have a new destination from coming season. Nagpur District Football Association (NDFA) has started developing its ground — Bharat Ratna Dr BR Ambedkar Football Stadium, situated at Suyog Nagar in North Nagpur, on 
war-footing.
A lush green lawn turf will be in offing within a couple of months.
After NDFA got the piece of land from Nagpur Improvement Trust last year, the association wasted no time in developing it. The ground will help the game of football grow in the city, specially in North Nagpur.
‘The Hitavada’ visited the ‘site’ where around 70 per cent of the playing area is relaid with lawn grass. The playing area is secured with around 10-foot high chain fencing which will help protect the grass turf.
The ground has been levelled and proper slope has been carried out to drain out rain water.
Dr BR Ambedkar Football Stadium will also house NDFA offices in future. It will have President’s and Secretary’s cabins apart from separate changing rooms for boys and girls, officials’ cabin and a conference hall.
NDFA President Haresh Vora said work is likely to be completed by March 2020.
“The development work is going on war-footing and the stadium will be ready by March,” said  Vora. “Due to court cases the development work has been delayed,” he added.
NDFA is investing around Rs 60 lakh for the construction of ground and stadium. “Till now we have spent around Rs 40 lakh. We will be spending another Rs 20 lakh from our (NDFA) pockets. To construct a world class stadium with spectators galleries we need around Rs 7-8 crore,” informed Vora.
The association is also trying to extend the lease of the ground which is at present of 15 years. “We are trying to get the lease extended for 30 years. If we get our lease extended we can get funds from government. Several corporate houses including JSW and MOIL are ready to help us in constructing a beautiful stadium,” said Vora. “For residents of Suyog Nagar, we have kept the gates open so that they can use the green gym and the walking track. We have not stopped anybody from entering the ground. Only the playing area is covered as it has Bermuda grass,” said Vora.
It was a long-cherished dream of football fraternity of the region to have its own soccer field.
Their dreams, it seems, are coming true. n