The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : There is life beyond cricket in the city, but…

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Wednesday, Oct 03, 2007
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

There is life beyond cricket in the city, but…

Kalyan Ashok

The infrastructure for various sports facilities in Bangalore is adequate. But is ‘adequate’ enough if we are to nurture talent?

— Photo: K. Gopinathan

Poor maintenance: The damaged athletic track at the Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore. There are several patches in the Stadium that have been damaged.

Bangalore: The sports culture of a city is mirrored by its stadiums and in this respect, Bangalore perhaps is the only metro which packs major sports arenas within a short radius of 4 km to 5 km catering to all kind of games, from cricket to bowling, tennis to tae kwon do.

If one takes M. Chinnsawamy Stadium as the focal point, within its easy reach are the Sree Kanteerava Stadium complex, the KSLTA tennis stadium, the Billiards Association and the Karnataka Badminton Association’s Raheja Stadium. A little away are the Koramangala Indoor Stadium, the KSHA Hockey Stadium, the Jayanagar Sports Stadium, Hombegowda grounds and other sports fields. There are about 150 playing grounds, which are under the care of the city corporation, serving also as lung spaces.

Best venue

The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, built over the years by the late Mangalam Chinnaswamy, is one among the best cricket venues in the country, hosting both major Tests and One Day Internationals. In the last decade, the stadium has added new facilities such as a giant screen, a plush pavilion, a glitzy club house and has also refurbished its guest rooms. The revenue from hosting matches has been channelised for maintenance and upgradation.

“We try and ensure that the paying public get the best of facilities, including providing a pantry with reasonable rates for food, in every stand. The cricketing facilities are good and our B Stand is disabled-friendly with ramps and specialised toilets. We would like to relocate the press box to the Northern Stand and enhance its capacity to cope with the increasing media presence — both print and electronic,” says KSCA Secretary Brijesh Patel.

The Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association (KSLTA Stadium) is another success story. When former Chief Minister S.M. Krishna took over its presidentship in 2000, the KSLTA unveiled its Vision 2000 Plan aimed at renovating the stadium which is located in the Cubbon Park. Rs. 4 crore later, the KSLTA has transformed itself in to an international class arena, with new synthetic courts, club house and a gym. “We renovated for the World Doubles championship 2000 and 2001 and with us also hosting the women’s WTA event for the last two years, we have constantly upgraded our facilities and our stadium has become a favourite with the WTA,” said KSLTA joint secretary P.R. Ramaswamy. However, hosting international events involving big prize money has taken its toll. “But we have come out of it and we want to add a few more facilities, like a conference hall besides relaying the courts,” according to Mr. Ramaswamy.

Corporate involvement

The Raheja KBA Stadium on the Miller’s Tank Bed Area, is a shining example of corporate involvement in sports.

Its former administrator, S.S. Mani, used his business acumen to ensure the city had a superb stadium with 10 courts, unmatched in the country.

Mr. Mani sought and got different corporates help to build each of the 10 courts, and named it after them.

The Association, over the years, kept adding more facilities including a clubhouse, a gym, and a mini swimming pool and made it one of the most sought-after sports venues.

The Karnataka State Billiards Association, adjacent to the KBA Stadium, is among the few cue sports venues in the country, capable of hosting international events. The national camps are always held here and the venue’s two-tier structure accommodates a good number of competition tables.

National Games

The city’s major outdoor sports arena, the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, got a massive facelift during the National Games conducted a decade ago.

Two major indoor stadiums were also built then — the Sree Kanteerava Indoor Stadium and the Koramangala Indoor Stadium.

The National Games forced an improvement in the city’s sports facilities with the Karnataka State Hockey Association finally having a state-of-the-art facility in Akkithimanalli.

Swimming pools

With Karnataka being a major swimming power in the country, Bangalore is dotted with four 50-metre pools, including the K.C. Reddy Swim Centre in Sadhashivanagar, BAC pool in Basavanagudi, Jayanagar pool and the Ulsoor pool.

A new pool opened recently at Vijayanagar. Most of the pools are leased to private clubs, which utilise them well.

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