Pune: The Suresh Kalmadi Sports Centre has been established at the Kannada Sangha’s Kalmadi Shamrao High School in Ganeshnagar to honour the contributions of the late Suresh Kalmadi in the field of sports. As part of this initiative, two state-of-the-art basketball courts have been developed.The former Pune MP played a significant role in giving the city international recognition, particularly in the field of sports. His contributions include the Pune International Marathon, the establishment of the Shri Shivchhatrapati Sports City in Mhalunge-Balewadi, and Pune’s successful bid to host the Commonwealth Youth Games in 2008.Speaking on the occasion, Meera Kalmadi said Suresh Kalmadi, who also served as a Union minister, had a deep passion for sports.“The facility aims to provide children with world-class infrastructure. Additionally, sports help children develop mental resilience. This facility serves as a pilot project and will gradually be expanded to other schools run by the organisation. We endeavour to encourage and nurture the sporting talent inherent in children,” she added.A statement issued by the school stated: “Kalmadi’s father, Dr Shamrao Kalmadi, founded the Kannada Sangha so that children from Kannada-speaking families living in Pune could study in their own language.”
