Source : Times of India | Dated : Nov 25, 2024
Chennai: North Chennai is set to get a major sporting boost with Kannappar Thidal multi-purpose sports arena opening to the public within a week. Spanning 5.4 acres, the state-of-the-art facility was built by Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) at a cost of 7.5 crore.
The arena, in Vepery, boasts a range of features to accommodate multiple sports. A football ground is being made ready, while three cricket practice nets are being installed.
These nets will be available at hourly rentals for training purposes, according to GCC officials. The facility will be maintained by a private contractor.
It will have a basketball court and indoor sports facilities, including a badminton court and table tennis. Additionally, the arena will feature a gym outfitted with hydraulic machines for strength training, as well as cardio equipment such as treadmills, cycling machines and elliptical trainers.
An indoor hall, which can seat up to 150 spectators, has also been built to host private sports events. This hall will be available for rent on a daily basis. The facility is walkable distance from Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium and is about 1.5km away from Central Railway station. “It will help sportspeople from other areas and districts to train here temporarily, before their main matches at Nehru Stadium,” said an official with the Royapuram zone. GCC will also set up toilets and drinking water facilities on the premises.
R K Nagar MLA J J Ebenezer said they are setting up at least five sports grounds in North Chennai under the Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam. “North Chennai has a high number of boxing, cricket, and volleyball players. They cannot enrol in private facilities with high costs. Hence, these grounds will help them train,” he said.
He said RK Nagar is also getting a 500-seater arena which will be completed by next year. “We will set up more public gyms too. It will help our children go to district, state, and national level competitions,” he added.
GCC is also building sports grounds nearby in Korukkupet, R K Nagar and Royapuram.