The exhibition ground attached to Mangala stadium, popularly known as Karavali Utsav ground, will be converted as a ground for walkers and the health conscious public.
A meeting chaired by Minister of State for Youth Empowerment, Sports and Fisheries K. Abhayachandra Jain took a decision to this effect here on Tuesday. It decided to reserve the stadium only for athletes.
The meeting had been convened to discuss the preparations for the Federation Cup or National Senior Athletic Championship, 2015, scheduled at the stadium from May 1 to May 4. The Minister said that a 200 mt walkers’ track will be laid at the existing exhibition ground.
When Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim said that organising the Federation Cup would cost about Rs. 1.75 crore, Mr. Jain said the State government would sanction Rs. 1 crore and the balance amount should be collected from donors. The meeting decided to constitute different committees for organising the four-day event in May.
Mr. Ibrahim said that about 1,000 guests, including athletes, from outside the city were expected for the meet. It might require about 600 rooms. He suggested that noted athletes or cinema actors like Aishwarya Rai could be selected as brand ambassadors to promote the event.
The meeting decided to drop a proposal of having a permanent floodlight facility at the stadium after it was told that it would cost Rs. 3.50 crore without generator backup. Instead it was decided to have a temporary facility for organising the event from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Minister said that as the weather would be very hot in May there was no point in organising the competitions during the day. Those who win in the competitions would represent India in the international events.
