LED lighting to replace tubes at indoor stadium

Soon Dandamudi Rajagopal Rao Municipal Corporation indoor stadium will get new lighting as the 250-odd tube lights will be replaced with light-emitting diode (LED) lamps for the forthcoming Senior National badminton championship, which will be held in the last week of January, 2015.

With Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu granting Rs.1.5 crore for the renovation of the stadium, both the civic officials led by Corporation Traffic and Sports Committee chairman Chennupati Gandhi and Andhra Pradesh Badminton Association secretary K.Ch. Punnaiah Chowdary are working overtime to make the stadium fit for the mega event.

“Shuttlers like Olympian Saina Nehwal, Kidambi Srikanth, Parupalli Kashyap, Jwala Gutta, Aswini Ponnappa and others will be seen in action in the prestigious event. We are leaving no stone unturned in providing them the best of facilities,” said Mr. Punnaiah.

The new lighting will provide the shuttlers enough brightness and also help the corporation save money on power bill. “Efforts are also on to install a huge digital screen to beam the on-court proceedings for the benefits of the viewers,” said Mr. Punnaiah.

Green colour Hova courts will be laid on four courts. “We are also getting Hova courts from Gachibowli as a precautionary measure, in case of any hiccups with the new ones,” he added.

The Corporation officials, on a priority basis, are giving importance to flooring, lighting and repairs to toilets and galleries. The other venue – Vijayawada Club -- would also witness installation of three Hova courts.

Mock drills

Though the civic authorities are keen on taking up repairs to the roof, they are a bit hesitant about the fast approaching event. “We want everything to be ready by January 20 as the event is kick-starting on January 29. We need to conduct mock drills for at least a week for the benefit of the players and technical officials,” said Mr. Gandhi.

Vijayawada hosted the senior National badminton tourney in 1980 when the legendary shuttler and former all England champion Prakash Padukone was defeated by late Syed Modi.