Dharwad Set To Dive Into A New Sporting Era

Dharwad: After years of anticipation, delays and sustained public pressure, Dharwad is finally on the brink of a major sporting transformation. The much-awaited multi-sports indoor stadium complex, featuring a hi-tech, international-standard swimming pool, is set to be ready for the public by the end of March, addressing a long-standing gap in the twin cities' sports infrastructure.Spread across a 1.6-acre site, nearly 95% of the work has been completed. MLA Arvind Bellad, who recently reviewed the progress, said the indoor stadium is almost ready, and the Olympic-sized swimming pool is expected to be open for public by April.
Touted as the first-of-its-kind facility in the region, the complex is expected to significantly benefit Dharwad and Hubballi, home to several premier institutions and universities. For years, the absence of a comprehensive indoor sports facility—particularly an international-standard swimming pool—had been a sore point for athletes in the area.Conceived in 2018, the project initially began as a modest proposal for a standalone swimming pool with limited indoor sports facilities. Over time, the plan expanded into a full-fledged multi-sports complex, but progress slowed due to funding constraints and administrative hurdles.At one point, construction came to a complete standstill owing to shortage of funds. The project regained momentum only after sustained public demand, leading to the mobilisation of Rs 50 crore through CSR contributions from NMDC and ONGC. Union minister Prahlad Joshi had laid the foundation stone for the project in 2018, with the vision of redeveloping the old swimming pool into an international-level pool and a modern indoor sports hub—a vision now close to fruition.The stadium complex has been designed with technical guidance from IIT Delhi and the School of Planning and Architecture, ensuring adherence to global standards. Constructed largely using modern steel technology, the facility includes an international-standard swimming pool, along with separate pools for children and adults. It also offers dedicated spaces for multiple indoor sports, supported by spectator galleries, equipment storage areas and athlete rooms.Designed as a multi-purpose sports hub, the G+3 complex includes parking on the ground floor, with courts for kabaddi, badminton and judo, gym for men and women, canteen, equipment stores, and rooms for trainers and doctors. Once opened, the complex is expected to firmly place Dharwad on the regional sports map.