In a major boost to Delhi’s sports infrastructure, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the city’s first Centre of Excellence in Dwarka Sector-8 on Thursday.
Spread across 23.3 acres, the facility will focus on boxing, wrestling, weightlifting, and taekwondo, and is set to become a hub for developing future sporting talent in the capital.
Developed by the Delhi Development Authority (DDA), the state-of-the-art complex offers both indoor and outdoor sports amenities.
Indoor facilities include a modern gymnasium and dedicated zones for boxing, wrestling, taekwondo, weightlifting, table tennis, yoga, and aerobics.
Outdoor infrastructure features six tennis and badminton, four basketball, two netball, two volleyball, and four pickleball synthetic turf courts.
It also includes an Olympic-size swimming pool, an open-air gym, and a walking/jogging track.
A standout feature is the Olympic-size swimming pool measuring 50m x 25m. The site also includes an open-air gym, a jogging/walking track, and is already set for further expansion. Planned additions include a combined football and hockey ground, a synthetic athletics track, a skating rink, a speed track, and a children’s park—making it a comprehensive multi-sport environment for all age groups.
Beyond sports, the centre houses a modern conference hall with high-speed internet and advanced audiovisual equipment, capable of seating 100 people. Additional facilities include a cafeteria, a restaurant, and banqueting spaces, making the complex suitable for events and community programs.
To ensure that Delhi’s athletes reach their full potential, professional coaching will be provided in all sports, with special focus on the four primary disciplines for which the Centre of Excellence is named. The initiative aims to help budding talent rise to national and international standards.
The initiative aligns with the Fit India Movement launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019, encouraging people to embrace fitness and sports. Speaking at the event, the LG highlighted the movement’s success in bringing children—even from remote areas—into mainstream sports.
The event was attended by key dignitaries, including South Delhi MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, MLA Kailash Gahlot, DDA Vice Chairman N. Saravana Kumar, and other senior officials.
Looking ahead, three more Centres of Excellence are on the way: Aquatics at Rohini Sector-33, Tennis and Shooting at Dwarka Sector-19 and Football and Hockey at Dwarka Sector-23.
Currently, DDA manages 17 sports complexes and 3 golf courses across the capital, with continued efforts to strengthen Delhi’s position as a leader in sports infrastructure.