Prayagraj: Uttar Pradesh govt is set to give a major push to sports infrastructure in its educational institutions, with mini stadiums planned at urban govt inter colleges and govt girls’ inter colleges having at least 2,500 square metres of playground space. Eligible colleges have been asked to submit proposals for the facilities.Each mini stadium is expected to cost around Rs 5 crore. Additional Director (Basic) and officiating AD Rajkiya, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi has sought proposals from eligible colleges, which will subsequently be forwarded to the state govt for approval.At present, construction of mini stadiums is underway at 44 govt colleges across the state. The education department has recently received Rs 19 crore from the govt for the programme. Of the ongoing projects, 23 mini stadiums were recommended in 2024-25 and another 21 in 2025-26.According to the education directorate, UP has 530 govt inter colleges and 444 govt girls’ inter colleges. Besides, 711 govt high schools for boys and 777 govt high schools for girls are functioning across the state.However, lack of adequate land remains a major hurdle in several districts. Around 10 districts, including Prayagraj, Auraiya, Kanpur Dehat, Kannauj and Farrukhabad, do not have sufficient land available for playgrounds. In contrast, construction is progressing rapidly in around 35 districts, including Sitapur, Lalitpur, Jalaun, Lucknow, Hardoi, Ayodhya, Bareilly, Gorakhpur and Deoria.The mini stadiums are expected to provide students with better facilities for a range of sports. Secondary schools currently offer around 20 types of indoor sports, while several disciplines have been proposed for inclusion in the new facilities.The proposed sports include badminton, handball, volleyball, basketball, kho-kho, kabaddi and judo-karate. Yoga asana, chess etc have also been proposed.“Construction work is currently underway at 44 colleges. Proposals have been sought from other eligible colleges and, after receiving them, these will be sent to the govt for approval for construction of mini stadiums,” Dwivedi said.
