"We are 90 per cent ready and the target is to complete the stadium by the end of this year. We can host major national and international events in many sports," said NSCI secretary Rakesh Malhotra at a media conference to announce the hosting of the Mumbai city district table tennis event at an adjoining hall this month.
"Construction of the stadium started ten years ago and the entire cost of it works to Rs 250 crore. It can seat 5,000 spectators and we have corporate boxes at ground level. The stadium is built over an area of 3,50,000 square feet.
"We want to promote sports in a big way and will not charge the federations for holding major events. We will get sponsors for them or spend from our own funds," he said.
Vice-president of Asian Table Tennis Federation as well as Table Tennis Federation of India, Rajeev Bodas, said that people are waiting for a classy indoor stadium in Mumbai.
"We have got sponsors waiting for such a facility to host big events. For example Niraj Bajaj, the former national table tennis champion, and his company is interested in sponsoring TT events in Mumbai," he said.
Bodas said 20 tables could be accommodated in the stadium once it is ready, as compared to only 6 at the Andheri sports complex.
"This district championship is a test event for bigger events to follow like the Asian veterans championship next year," said Bodas.
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Asian and World Championships can be held in the stadium, Bodas insisted, but added players would have to be put up in five star hotels which would increase the cost substantially.
"Getting the necessary finance appears to be a major hurdle in hosting such events," he said.