Sports Minister Launches Work on Indoor Stadium Complex at Edava

VARKALA:
Kerala is poised for major strides in sports on the strength of a raft of projects initiated since the LDF Government came to power, said E P Jayarajan, Minister for Industries, Sports and Youth Affairs, here today.

The Minister was speaking after launching the construction work of Thomas Sebastian Indoor Stadium Complex at Edava near here. A set of infrastructure projects, totalling over Rs 700 crore, have been set in motion during this period. The government has also drawn up schemes to support sports personalities and ensure their welfare,  Jayarajan noted.

The Minister was accorded a rousing reception by various sports associations of the area. Conceived as the district stadium complex, the facility has been planned as part of the Government’s policy of developing sports infrastructure across the state, giving a thrust to sporting aspirations at the grass roots.

The indoor stadium, proposed in the 2016-17 budget, is coming up at an area of 6.35 acres at Edava at an estimated cost of Rs 34.25 crore. It will be a two-storied modern indoor stadium with 2,400 metre playing area, a sevens football ground and other allied features to host major sporting events.

V. Joy, MLA , presided over the function, held at Edava stadium ground near Varkala. Sanjayan Kumar, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, welcomed the gathering . Bindu Haris, Chairperson Varkala Municipality, M K Yusuf, President Varkala Block Panchayat and V Ranjith, District Panchayat Standing Committee member, were among those present. Harshad Sabu, Vice President, Edava Panchayat, proposed a vote of thanks.

With the completion of the indoor stadium complex within one-and-a-half years, there will be ample facilities for holding basketball, volleyball, badminton, football and swimming competitions, besides providing training.