Coimbatore Corporation begins work to convert outdoor sports facilities into indoor courts near VOC Park

The Coimbatore Corporation has commenced work to convert outdoor sports facilities for volleyball, kabaddi, and badminton into indoor courts, in a move aimed at improving training conditions for players.

Officials said the Nehru Stadium is primarily designated for football and athletics, while sports such as volleyball, badminton, and kabaddi are currently played in outdoor facilities maintained by the Corporation. Being exposed to weather conditions and having mud surfaces, these facilities pose difficulties for regular practice.

Following representations from sportspersons, the Corporation decided to develop indoor infrastructure to support year-round training.

The overall project was initially estimated at ₹5 crore. As part of the first phase, construction of an indoor volleyball stadium has begun at a cost of ₹1.95 crore.

According to officials, the volleyball facility will include two courts and is scheduled to be completed within 45 days. Once the work is completed, construction of a kabaddi court will be taken up. An amount of ₹75 lakh has been earmarked for developing the playing surface, while an additional ₹75 lakh has been allocated for roofing and seating arrangements.

Corporation Commissioner M. Sivaguru Prabakaran said the Corporation had earlier developed indoor facilities for basketball in the area and was now extending similar infrastructure to other sports.

He said an indoor facility for wushu would also be set up at the same location following a recommendation from the District Sports Officer. Noting that the district has many wushu players but no training facility, he said several players had secured college admissions under the sports quota through the sport.