Jamshedpur: JRD Tata Sports Complex in Bistupur finally boasts a brand new speed climbing wall.
Built at an estimated cost of Rs 25 lakh and set up an angle of eight degrees, the facility will be exclusively used for speed climbing.
"The wall was supposed to be handed to us on October 15. But the agency entrusted with the job delayed the project. We were worried as we are organising the East Zone sport climbing competition in Jamshedpur on November 11 and 12. It would have been difficult to conduct the event without an exclusive facility," said TSAF senior manager and Everester Hemant Gupta.
The 50ft fibre-based speed climbing wall project has been executed by Pune-based Stepin Adventure. The project got delayed as the agency did not procure the panels on time. However, continuous pressure from TSAF forced the agency to complete the job without any further delay.
The need for the new wall was felt by Tata Steel Adventure Foundation (TSAF) for a long time as the existing 50ft wall was only meant for bouldering and lead climbing categories. Absence of a proper wall also forced TSAF to conduct speed climbing on the existing wall, which further caused complications.
Expressing happiness over the new facility, TSAF route setter Bibhas Roy said his wards could now easily practice on the new wall. "Speed climbers need separate wall to hone their skills. But our hands were tied. Wards can now practice on the new wall ahead of the zonal competition," he added.
Jharkhand's lone international climber Talim Ansari said he would need time to adjust to the new wall. "I have been practicing speed climbing on the old wall and have been used to it. Practicing on the speed climbing facility will be a new experience for me. But I will adjust with it before the zonal meet," he added.
Echoing Ansari, fellow climber Aman Verma said he was looking forward to try his hands on the new wall. "It would be a different feeling altogether. I want to adjust to it as quickly as I can. I want to win medals for Jharkhand at the zonal event," he added.
