Jammu and Kashmir got its first exclusive football stadium with an imported synthetic football turf that will allow players to train round the year as Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurated the facility at TRC Polo Ground, here today.
The CM, after inaugurating the facility, showed off his soccer skills at the facility. The inauguration of the facility was done amidst heavy rains, amply displaying its utility.
The synthetic turf for the stadium has been procured from Italy and is laid over six layers of base course.
The stadium has a capacity for 15000 spectators with facility for car parking also.
The field, which is of international standard size, has been constructed at an estimated cost of Rs 4.50 crore. Interacting with the sports persons, the Chief Minister said that development of sports and nurturing the talent in different games is receiving full attention of the Government.
He said various new stadia have been completed while many are in the process of execution.
The Chief Minister said Bakshi Stadium Srinagar is being re-built and upgraded to the international standard to host national and international events in football and athletics. The new stadium might host a few matches during next year's blue riband tournament Federation Cup.
An amount of about Rs 100 crore is being spent on this project, he said adding Rs 100 crore are also being spent on making the M A M Stadium Jammu to the international standard.
Omar said his government is encouraging sports activities at the district and block level by providing various facilities to the young people in different fields.
He said during the last about six years scores of sports fields have been developed besides providing added sports facilities in existing stadia.
