THALASSERY:
The renovated V R Krishna Iyer Memorial Municipal Stadium here will be dedicated by Minister for Industries, Sports and Youth Affairs, E P Jayarajan , on December 31, throwing open a state-or-the art arena in the north Kerala town famed for its sporting culture.
The Minister will also launch the work on the second phase of renovation of the stadium at the function. The stadium is built in memory of eminent jurist and former minister late V R Krishna Iyer, who lived in Thalassery for long and represented the constituency in the Kerala Assembly.
Encompassing a sprawling 6.72 acre area, works totalling Rs 3.98 crore had been completed during the first phase of renovation of the stadium, and Rs 13.04 crore has been set apart for the works in the second phase.
The works completed in the first phase included : International Standard natural Football Turf with Automatic Sprinkler System, Basket Ball Court with Acrylic flooring and roof, Renovation of existing Gallery and related electrical and water supply system.
Once the second phase is completed, the stadium will have an eight-lane 400-metre synthetic track, a pavilion building with VIP lounge, media room, players’ room, office wing and uninterrupted power and water supply.
N Shamseer, MLA, will preside over the inaugural function to be held at 4 pm. Mullappally Ramachandran, MP, K K Ragesh, MP, Richard Hay, MP, C K Ramesan, Chairman, Municipal Council, T P Dasan, President, Kerala Sports Council, and Mir Mohammad Ali, District Collector, will be chief guests at the function.
Director of Sports and Youth Affairs, Sanjayan Kumar, will welcome the guests and B Ajithkumar, Additional Director, Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs, will present the project report. Najma Hashim, Vice-chairperson, Thalassery Municipal Council, will propose a vote of thanks.