A modern stadium, funded by the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), will come up at Thiruvambady to cater for sports enthusiasts in the rural areas of Kozhikode district. Administrative sanction has been accorded to the new project at a recent meeting convened by KIIFB in Thiruvananthapuram.
Thiruvambady MLA George M. Thomas says KIIFB will spend ₹6.9 crore on the stadium. The playground of Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School, Thiruvambady, would be developed as the stadium after reaching an agreement with the school.
The stadium will have a 200-metre synthetic track, football ground with grass turf, gymnasium, jumping pit and a gallery sticking to international standards. The stadium will be able to host national and international sports events. “Though the rural areas of Kozhikode have been producing a number of State, national and international champions in various sports events, we were badly in need of a good stadium to facilitate their training,” he adds.
Objection raised
Meanwhile, United Democratic Front (UDF) activists in Thiruvambady constituency have objected to the proposal for constructing the new stadium in an area under the possession of a private school management. They argue that it will restrict the free entry of the public to the stadium.
Some of them have demanded the construction of the stadium at Thondimmel where land is available with the Thiruvambady panchayat. Another ground at Puloorampara too has been suggested by them for the public-funded project.