Facelift for the National Games 2007

Jamshedpur, April 17: The state government will not shell out funds for repairing stadiums or other sports infrastructure in the city as it prepares for the 2007 National Games to be held in the state.

Instead, it will only repair stadiums in the state capital.

The renovation of the city stadiums has been entrusted to Tata Steel, which has readily taken up the responsibility.

Sources in the art, culture, sports and youth affairs ministry revealed that about Rs 50 crore would be spent on repair of stadiums and other sports infrastructure existing in Ranchi.

Art, culture, sports and youth affairs secretary N.N. Sinha confirmed the state government?s decision: ?We will be spending the entire money allotted for repairs for the facelift of stadiums and other sports facilities in Ranchi.?

?We have requested Tata Steel to take up renovation of the stadiums they own and other sports infrastructure in Jamshedpur. The company has agreed to bear the repair cost,? a source said.

Besides the JRD Tata Sports Complex, the city boasts of facilities for boxing, archery, rowing, kayaking and canoeing. The city will host the events during the Games.

The source said the state government will avail help from corporate houses to generate funds for the National Games. He said a meeting has also been held with representatives of corporate houses, including Tata Steel.

Sources in the Tata Steel sports department said their priority will be the facelift of boxing centre at JRD Tata Sports Complex.

?Boxing is one of the seven events allotted to the city. We have already chalked out plans to improve the facilities at the centre,? they added.

The total cost of organising the Games will come to about Rs 300 crore.

While the cost of the mega sports complex in Ranchi will be Rs 200 crore, a sum of Rs 50 crore would be spent for organising events and the remaining amount would be spent on repair of stadiums and other sports facilities.