THINGS seem to be moving in the right direction and at a steady pace for sports at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU). After the bhoomipujan for work of Synthetic Track at the RTMNU Sports Complex in Ravi Nagar early this month, the Department of Sports and Physical Education has decided to speed up the work of indoor complex too. RTMNU will be constructing indoor sports complex at its premises with an estimated cost of Rs 30 crore which will be generated from various sources including CSRs. To make it one of the best sports complexes of the country, an RTMNU delegation is in Manipal to study the Marena-Manipal Indoor Sports Arena which is India’s biggest and best indoor sports arena. Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Department of Physical Education and Sports, RTMNU, Senate Member and Arjuna and Dronacharya Award winner Vijay Munishwar and architect Anand Sarda have reached Manipal University and have completed the first session of their study.

 

 

 

“We have completed our first session. The university is beautiful and excellent. It has one layer of sports facilities above the ground level (G+1) while five are below (G-5),” informed Dr Suryawanshi while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ over phone from the venue. “The G-5 level includes a huge gymnasium which can accommodate around 100 fitness enthusiast at one go. The gym is surrounded by a 200 metres synthetic jogging track, that too inside the indoor hall,” informed Dr Suryawanshi. “Apart from these, there are squash courts, five badminton courts, basketball courts with spectators gallery, a five-a-side football arena, bowling machine for cricket practise. All these are at the G-5 area,” Dr Suryawanshi added. “We loved the concept as it helps in utilising space in best possible way with maximum usage,” he added. The G+1 level has rooms for the B.Sc and M.Sc (Sports Science) classes apart from a 25-metre swimming pool. “We want to construct our indoor hall on these lines, though not in same pattern. We want to see all the other the facilities and the infrastructures so that we get an idea for our indoor hall. Tomorrow we will look at the outdoor facilities,” said Dr Suryawanshi. In January, RTMNU formed a committee headed by former Board of Studies Chairman Babanrao Taywade for indoor sports complex.

 

The other committee members include Director of Physical Education and Sports, RTMNU Dr Suryawanshi, who is also the secretary of the committee, former mayor Kundatai Vijaykar, Management Council member Vishnu Changde, former India cricketer Prashant Vaidya, Arjuna and Dronacharya Awardee Munishwar, Senate Member Adv Manmohan Bajpayee, former Director of Physical Education and Sports Dr Dhananjay Welukar, Maharashtra Netball President Vipin Kamdar, former handball player Viral Kamdar and Sanjay Bhende. The indoor complex, which is situated at the left side of entrance gate of the Sports Stadium in Ravi Nagar, is sufficient enough to construct India’s best indoor stadium. “The area is sufficient for our dream project. It is approximately 90 metres in length and 40 metres in width. There is another 60 metres of unused land at the back side,” Dr Suryawanshi had told this newspaper. “The proposed project would cost around Rs 35-40 crore. RTMNU will contribute around Rs 5-8 crore.

 

We will try to generate money through CSR. We can also get grant from Khelo India Sports Infrastructure Development Scheme. “Even the State Government can help us. This academic session they have helped Aurangabad University. Next year we will submit our proposal,” Dr Suryawanshi had informed. “During the Senate meeting Dr Smita Wanjari informed that RTMNU, which would be celebrating its centenary year in 2023-24 we (RTMNU) will be getting Rs 50 crore from the State Government. We can get some funds from this money for sports complex,” hoped former international athlete Dr Suryawanshi.