Situated in the middle of the city, Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium is the fulcrum of sporting activities as all the major sporting associations function from the basement of the galleries.
Thanks to the initiative of the then commissioner Sameer Sharma, the stadium got the galleries with a seating capacity of 25,000. The stadium hosted the India-West Indies One Day International cricket match in 2002. The newly constructed synthetic tennis hard-court with Rs.60 lakh has also enhanced its prestige and image.
Many find fault with the corporation for giving permission to political, religious, and private functions. “This stadium is only meant for sports and games. The corporation spends lakhs for the upkeep of greenery but on the other hand they spoil it by leasing it out to these functions,” said A. Raghavendra Rao, secretary, Krishna District Athletic Association.
Makineni Basava Punnaiah Stadium at Ajitsingh Nagar has certainly come as a boon to the sports lovers of the Central constituency. The stadium acted as a catalyst to a series of sports activities, especially in hockey, table tennis and kho kho. A couple of State players in table tennis have emerged from here. But the stadium also has its share of woes.
“It is dangerous to play hockey as the entire playing area is full of pebbles. The corporation should level the field and also do regular watering. The stadium is also bereft of coaches in table tennis, athletics, and cricket. We have coaches for hockey, kho kho, and gymnasium,” said Mr. Sekhar, a hockey administrator.
As promised by the Central legislator Malladi Vishnu, the stadium is still waiting for a hall to be constructed for yoga on the first floor.
