The renovated V.R. Krishna Iyer Memorial Municipal Stadium here was opened by Sports and Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan here on December 31.
The stadium built in memory of late jurist and former Minister V.R. Krishna Iyer, who had lived here for long and represented the constituency in the Assembly, encompasses a sprawling 6.72-acre area. Works totalling ₹3.98 crore had been completed during the first phase of renovation of the stadium, and ₹13.04 crore was set apart for the works in the second phase, a press release said.
A sum of ₹2 crore for the project was allotted from the local area development fund of former MLA and Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.
The works completed in the first phase included a natural football turf of international standard with automatic sprinkler system, a basket ball court with acrylic flooring and roof, renovation of existing gallery and related electrical and water supply system. Once the second phase is completed, the stadium would have an eight-lane 400-metre synthetic track, a pavilion building with VIP lounge, media room, players’ room, office wing and uninterrupted power and water supply, the release said.
At the inaugural address, the Minister said as part of promoting sports culture among all sections of the society, marathon would be organised in all the districts. He also announced that yoga would be introduced in all educational institutions and that football teams for girls would be formed.
A.N. Shamseer, MLA, presided over the inaugural function. C.K. Ramesan, Thalasssery Municipal chairman, Najma Hashim, vice-chairperson and Sanjayan Kumar, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, spoke at the function.