PUNE: As Kolhapur and Nandurbar took to the ground for the third place match of the Maharashtra State Junior Hockey Championship at the Balewadi Sports Complex, there was one person in the audience who was actively speaking to the organisers about selection of players, training and other aspects of the game. It was none other than Om Prakash Bakoria, Commissioner of Sports and Youth Services, who mingled with one and all on the field.
The hockey facility at the Balewadi Sports Complex will soon get a facelift, Om Prakash Bakoria told Sakal Times as we caught up with him as he explained what his department has plans for the sports complex.
“There is going to be a complete revamp of this hockey facility. Our first proposal is to change the astroturf. We are going to change it, which should cost around Rs 4 crore. Simultaneously we are also making one changing room and a pavillion which would cost around Rs 71 lakh.
In the second phase, we will make a complete public gallery,” Bakoria informed.
“It will definitely help the players in future. Modern hockey is changing according to time. We are going to make everything as per international norms so that our players benefit from it. Even players from outside Pune will be able to benefit from it. There are a lot of emerging players,” Bakoria added.
Asked about the other sports infrastructure, Bakoria said: “In the second phase we are also making a shooting range which would be a completely computerised one and we are also planning to make one Sports Science Centre with all sports facilities, latest equipments, gymnasium.”
“We are also making 10 cricket pitches for which we have floated the tenders. We are also making one putting range and one driving range for golf which was in our bucket list. We have identified a nearby location within the campus. We will also be having a two futsal grounds. Our focus would be that kids in the categories of Under-8, 10 and 12 get to play as they are the future,” Bakoria added.
