K. Raghupati Bhat, MLA, launched the construction work for a synthetic track at the Mahatma Gandhi District Stadium here on Tuesday.
Mr. Bhat said that though there was an athletic track constructed at a cost of Rs. 25 lakh already in use in the district stadium, there had been a demand for a synthetic in the district for the last five years. The then Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, who was also holding the Youth Services and Sports portfolio, had sanctioned Rs. 3.85 crore for the construction of the synthetic track. The laying of synthetic track requires four months, but the work would have to be suspended during the monsoon. Udupi will volunteer to hold a national-level sports tournament once the synthetic track had been put in place, he said.
A new building for the sports hostel is being constructed near the District Stadium at a cost of Rs. 1.35 crore. A swimming pool is coming up near the District Indoor Stadium. A cricket ground will be constructed on five acres of land at Beedinaggude at a cost of Rs. 3.5 crore, Mr. Bhat said. J.M. Appachu, Joint Director of Youth Services, said materials worth Rs. 2.3 crore for the construction of the synthetic track would be imported. The track would be laid with the help of technical experts from abroad. The new track would improve the performance of local athletes, he said.
