The outdoor sports complex on Parade Ground in Dehradun is expected to be ready in six months. With facilities like an athletics track, volleyball and basketball courts along with a football ground, sports enthusiasts hoped that this sports complex will not only help youngsters to strengthen their sports skills but will also provide a platform for budding players to prepare themselves for competitions at the national and international levels.
Civil engineer, Bhim Singh Rana, working at the construction site said construction was in full swing and hopefully would be completed within the deadline. The rainy conditions, political rallies and commercial events on Parade Ground also hampered the work at times. Rajan Kothari, of the company undertaking the work, said weather and political rallies delayed the work temporarily but the sports complex will be opened within six months. The sports complex will comprise a 400 metres athletics track, football ground and courts for volleyball and basketball. Senior sportsman Mukesh Savan said that this would be a welcome development for encouraging youngsters in sports and inculcating sportsmanship qualities in them. “Sports are important for maintaining physical fitness and no less important than academics,” he added.
Senior volleyball player Sonia Singh opined that opening of the sports complex would increase the interest of youngsters in sports. This would also help them prepare for national level sports competitions, she added.