CREDITING the growth of city’s sporting infrastructure to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the State Government will strive to make the proposed Nagpur Sports Hub (NSH) into a full-fledged Sports University. Fadnavis was addressing a huge gathering of sports administrators, sportspersons, physical education teachers, coaches and sports lovers of the city after performing bhoomipujan of NSH at Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur on Saturday evening. “Ever since Gadkari joined as the Union Minister, he has been continuously doing something for the betterment of sports including the infrastructure. He has been providing platform for sportspersons (Khasdar Krida Mahotsav) of the region and we have seen good players emerging from it. “Nowadays there is not much of a difference between amateurs and professionals and the proposed Nagpur Sports Hub will surely help the budding players sharpen their skills. We have already given the status to this existing Divisional Sports Complex as State Sports Complex and when the NSH is fully functional, we will strive to make it a Sports University,” said Fadnavis. In mutual admiration, Gadkari praised Fadnavis for getting the proposal of the NSH sanctioned and suggested a few points for better running of the establishment post completion. “Fadnavis has done a very good job getting the proposal sanctioned as it is.

 

After seeing the Ahmedabad’s sports complex as suggested by Modi, I thought we must also have one such in Nagpur. And, I am happy that Fadnavis has made that possible. Along with sports, the hub must also become a centre for personality development. “Maintenance of government properties is a very big problem. We cannot provide ample funds for maintenance post construction and in this regard, I would like to make a couple of points. “When there are no sporting events, the hostel and the cafeteria must be rented out so that it can generate some revenue for maintenance of the same. Similarly, we can have solar panels installed that will help the complex with electricity and may also help in making some venue if sold to the grid. “One important thing ... the facility must never be rented out for marriages and reception. This should be only for sporting activities and may be sometime used for cultural events.

 

“Parking will also be a huge issue. We must figure out if we can go for underground parking otherwise people coming to watch matches will park their vehicles on ground,” Gadkari concluded. At the outset, after lighting the traditional lamp, the duo of Fadnavis and Gadkari performed the bhoomipujan of the proposed NSH via a remote control unveiling a plaque. Deputy Director Sports Shekhar Patil made introductory remarks giving details of the project after an audio-visual presentation. Shweta Shelgaonkar conducted the proceedings while District Sports Officer Pallavi Dhatrak proposed a vote of thanks. The function that started with Maharashtra Anthem...Garja Maharashtra Maaajha... ended with the National Anthem. For the function of bhoomipuja, upgradation and renovation of the existing complex costing Rs 683.79 crore, present and past people’s representatives Shyamkumar Barve, Pravin Datke, Ashish Jaiswal, Tekchand Sawarkar, Sulekha Kumbhare, Anil Sole, top bureaucrats Dr Vipin Itankar and Abhijeet Chaudhari, Asian triple gold winning archer Ojas Deotale, Dronacharya awardee Vijay Munishwar shared the dais.