Nagpur: The city is set to acquire a new identity as a modern sports hub with the state drawing up a Rs 683.79 crore plan to develop international-standard sporting infrastructure on about 62 acres at Divisional Sports Complex in Mankapur.Work on the project has already begun, with CM Fadnavis giving the project special status to ensure speedy implementation. The entire sports ecosystem is planned to be completed by Dec 2027, according to officials from the govt sports department.The project has been conceived to provide athletes from Vidarbha with facilities of international standards, with infra for training, competitions, accommodation and academic programmes available at one location.The development will include a three-storey multi-sports arena, sports club, sports convention centre, sports university, cafeteria, gymnasium, football pavilion and hockey pavilion. International-standard sporting facilities for around 25 disciplines are also planned, along with a 6-storey administrative complex and accommodation for athletes.An Olympic-standard swimming pool and its supporting infra are among facilities where work has begun. The complex will also have facilities for boxing, archery and 10 badminton courts. The convention centre is also proposed to accommodate basketball, handball and other indoor sporting activities.A sports museum, information centre and audio-visual room are also part of the proposed infra, aimed at promoting sports awareness and giving athletes and visitors access to information and sporting resources. The sports hub is being developed on lines of the modern sports complex built in Ahmedabad.The multi-sports arena, sports club, convention centre, swimming complex and indoor and outdoor facilities are among the components being prioritised. Officials expect the integrated infrastructure to enable Nagpur to host national and international sporting events.
