MAPUSA
Hockey aficionados have something to cheer, as an artificial hockey turf has been laid at Peddem Sports Complex and is expected to be inaugurated soon.
“Super Turf has been laid for one full court meant for competition. Similarly, another half court has also received the Super Turf which will be used for training/practice,” said Sports Minister Manohar (Babu) Ajgaonkar.
The Sports Minister disclosed this information in a written reply to Aldona MLA, Glenn Ticlo in the recently concluded Assembly session.
Ajgaonkar also informed that the sprinkler system work with 10 hydrants was also completed on the hockey ground and was being used.
“The pavilion and changing rooms work and work pertaining to paving of the area outside the hockey court is in progress and will be completed soon,” he said.
Contrary to common perception, the Sports Minister informed that the sports complex at Peddem was functioning properly.
“Since it is a major complex, there can be issues about maintenance which are being attended to from time to time,” he said.
He further disclosed that a total of 67 staff were posted in different capacities at various facilities including the swimming pool and new indoor stadium provided at the Peddem sports complex.
The government said proper facilities were provided to sports persons of the following sports at the complex: Badminton (about 70 users), table tennis (about 22 users), athletics (suspended due to Covid), swimming (about 30 users), boxing (suspended due to Covid), judo (suspended due to Covid), football (Kerala Blaster’ training ground) and hockey super turf laid (to be inaugurated shortly).
It was also informed that maintenance work of swimming pool costing Rs 41.26 lakh and that of Lusofonia indoor stadium costing Rs 68.43 lakh is being carried out at present while estimates of Rs 9.41 lakh and Rs 8.23 lakh for repairs of badminton and boxing halls respectively was also prepared and processed and awaits government sanction.
It may be recalled the Aldona MLA had very recently highlighted the sorry state of affairs at the Peddem sports complex and blamed some irresponsible officers for neglect of the various facilities at the complex.
He also claimed that he had received several complaints from sports persons about the irregularities happening at the complex.
