The Kanchenjunga Stadium in Siliguri. A Telegraph picture

Siliguri, Aug. 26: For wannabe Bhaichungs and Jyotirmoyee Sikdars from Siliguri, here's a double treat: a state-of-the-art sports complex and expert coaching.

If everything works to plan, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) will set up the complex at the proposed township in Noukaghat, about 7 km from the city centre, with an eight-lane synthetic track, a football field, a modern gymnasium and a swimming pool.

The complex will also have volleyball and basketball courts, besides another big practice ground for both athletes and footballers. ?The main track and field arena will also have a gallery to accommodate about 60,000 to 70,000 spectators,? said Chandan Kumar Chanda, in-charge of the Kanchenjunga Stadium-based SAI training centre.

The complex is, of course, one for the future, but the coaching scheme styled ?pay-and-play? will start within the first week of next month.

Under the scheme, boys and girls in the age group of 10 to 20 will be given expert coaching in athletics and football for a nominal charge.

?Those interested will have to pay a registration fee of Rs 50, besides an annual fee of Rs 300. Those opting for six months training will have to pay Rs 200 as annual fee,? said Chanda.

The training centre proposes to train 30 youths each in football and athletics under the scheme. ?We will hold a selection test on August 30, on the basis of which the trainees will be selected. The idea is to broaden the talent pool,? said Chanda.

The work on the stadium project is likely to start later this year, once the land is made available to SAI.

?We have already been assured 14 acres of land in the township, but our requirement is 15. We are however hopeful that an additional acre will be allotted to us since Asok Bhattacharya (urban development minister) himself is taking a keen interest in the project,? said Chanda.

The SAI proposes to spend Rs 10 crore on the project, which will be undertaken in phases over a five-year period. ?We already have Rs 1.65 crore in our kitty, and propose to use it within this fiscal. But for that to happen, we must get hold of the land first,? said Chanda.

The present centre is already imparting training to 36 youths in football, 15 in athletics and 14 in kabaddi under their regular scheme, where the trainees are provided accommodation and a stipend. It has a four-member team of coaches ? Samir Paul and Swapan Bandopadhyay for football and Arabinda Dey and Wasim Ahmed for athletics.