Sports min mulling redeveloping Kanteerava Stadium under PPP model: DYES Commissioner

Chandra Prabhu | NT

Bengaluru: With an aim to improve sport infrastructure in the city, Minister Youth Empowerment and Sports B Nagendra is mulling at a 500 crore revamp of the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Commissioner of the Directorate of Youth Empowerment and Sport (DYES) N Shashi Kumar confirmed to News Trail on Tuesday.

The redevelopment, which will be undertaken on a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) model, will see new sports hostels and guest houses for visiting athletes established, according to Kumar.

“The Minister is pursuing this project, and this plan is put up for discussion in the cabinet committee,” Kumar said.

The Kanteerava Stadium, which got its last revamp in 1997, is owned by the DYES. A multi-storeyed building to accommodate multiple sports and space for commercial establishments are also on the cards, Kumar said.

“This way, the government is looking to earn revenue for maintenance.” he concluded.

Last time talks over redevelopment of the area came was during the BJP Government’s tenure. It was reported that a grand plan was unveiled to modernize the stadium by the then youth empowerment and sports minister KC Narayana Gowda for Rs. 1500 crore.

In Chief Minister Siddaramiah’s previous tenure, the Indoor stadium was revamped for a Women’s Asian Basketball championship. This time, his second cabinet is eager to develop sport in the state, Kumar claimed.

On the medical insurance announced for sportspersons in the budget, Kumar said that a model, considering the level of competition and finances needs to be discussed.

“Athletes taking part in national and international tournaments will come under this model,” he concluded.