KOCHI: After many years of promise, the project to renovate the Ambedkar Stadium is finally off the floor.
Sports Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan on Monday inaugurated the Rs30-crore project at a formal function held at the stadium. However, the work on the ground is expected to start only after two weeks.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister reiterated the government’s decision to set up quality football stadiums, named Brazuca, in all the 14 districts. “The renovation of the Ambedkar Stadium will be carried out in different phases, and it should be viewed as part of the government’s plan to develop sports grounds across the State,” he said. n the first phase, an artificial surface will be installed at the stadium by Italian company Limonta Sport, which has a tie-up with FIFA to lay synthetic football fields. The turfing, estimated to cost Rs 5 Crore, will be done free of cost under FIFA’s ‘Win in India with India’ project that envisages the development of basic infrastructure in places where football is popular.
“Experts from Limonta will visit the stadium soon, and the work on the turf is expected to begin within two weeks,” said Kerala Football Association secretary Anilkumar P. The turfing will be carried out by Syncotts International, an associate of Limonta, and is scheduled to be completed within six months. The venue will also have floodlights, apart from a protective fencing. Once renovated, the stadium will provide the KFA with an exclusive football venue that can host national events.
Mayor Tony Chammany; MLAs Hibi Eden, Benny Behanan and Dominic Presentation; GCDA chairman N Venugopal and KFA president K M I Mather also attended the function.
