ENTHUSIASM for sports and fitness is growing day by day and so is the need to upgrade the present facilities to attract more footfalls at the sporting centres. To keep pace with modernisation Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) decided to upgrade its Late Gangadharrao Fadnavis Indoor Sports Complex situated in Vivekanand Nagar a year ago. But the development work is moving at snail’s pace. The renovation of the complex has been going on for more than a year. In June 2023, the upgrading work of the sports complex was taken up by NMC. The authorities’ claim to complete the work within stipulated time fell flat as even after a year around 50 per cent of work is still pending. The main synthetic flooring for badminton courts (hova courts) work is yet to be completed. Only two out of four courts have been relaid and the other two still await upgradation. Apart from this, other works, too, are going at a snail’s pace. These include a well-equipped gym, a hall for table tennis and a chess room. When ‘The Hitavada’ contacted NMC Sports Office Piyush Ambulkar he said, “The work is under way and we are hopeful that it will get completed very soon. Till date we have completed installation of two hova courts, installation of lights, and outer renovation is nearing completion. Around 60 per cent work has been completed and we are hopeful that in the next few months, the remaining work will also get completed.

 

“Yes, I agree that the upgradation work of the complex is moving at a slow pace. It was because of the sanctioning of funds. Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis has sanctioned Rs 7 lakhs from his funds, but due to implementation of model code of conduct in the city for the Lok Sabha elections the work is getting delayed. “A total of Rs 40 to 50 lakh is needed to fully renovate the sports complex and we are trying our best to manage funds. The files have been sent for approval and we are sure that the work will gain momentum after the election process,” said Ambulkar. Ishwar Pawar, Administrator of Sports Complex, was happy with the turn-out at the venue and the renovation work. “The NMC is doing a good job by giving a facelift to the sports complex. Development is an important thing. The sports complex is for all the citizens and anybody who wants to play or remain fit can enroll here. There are around 200 shuttlers who come for practice on a regular basis. With gym coming in a few months, the number of players and fitness freaks will surely increase. The NMC now charges a nominal fee of Rs 1000 a month from each player for badminton and hopefully it will be the same for gym and other sports which are coming in the complex,” Pawar said.

 

Ameya Joshi, State-level badminton player, who practices at the sports complex, sounded happy with the upgradation work. “It has been over three years since I have practiced in this complex. I am happy to see that NMC is concerned about upgrading facilities at the complex. As a player I know the difference between wooden and hova courts. After a few years it becomes very difficult to play on wooden courts as they become slippery and the percentage of injury also increases. The upgradation of the complex will definitely attract new sports lovers.” Sheetal Arya, who visits the complex for fitness said, “It is great to see that Nagpur Municipal Corporation is developing the sports complex to attract more sportspersons and this upgradation will also help in creating awareness about sports across the city. “I have been playing here for the last two-three years and have seen drastic change in this campus. It is good for the sports lovers that the department is looking for betterment of sports in the city. I feel it is also the responsibility of players to keep the campus clean. “Yes, the speed of work is slow and can be done a bit faster,” Sheetal said.