Ranipet Collector N. Priya Ravichandran inspecting the work on the District Sports Complex at Armed Reserve ground in Ranipet town.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Work on the first District Sports Complex in Ranipet and Tirupattur districts is nearing completion, with more than 80 per cent of the facilities, including athletic track, spectators’ gallery, administrative block and hostels, being ready for use.
Officials of the Public Works Department (PWD), which is executing the multi-crore project, said that until now, sports activities at the district level were being held at playgrounds of a few educational institutions in these districts.
Most playgrounds lack a dedicated area for training and civic amenities for sportspersons and visitors. “The new sports complex, which will cost ₹15 crore each, will have state-of-the-art facilities including a modernised gymnasium and hostels for boys and girls. We are monitoring the ongoing work of the new complex, which will be ready for use in the coming months,” R. Jayakumari, District Sports Officer (Tirupattur), told The Hindu.
In Tirupattur, the new sports complex, which covers over 10 acres of temple land, will have a spectator’s gallery with a seating capacity of over 350 persons to watch football games and athletics events. “Lack of hostels, modern sports equipment and basic amenities remains a key challenge for sportspersons, especially from rural areas. The new sports complex with hostels will be of great help for sportspersons,” said B. Mukesh, a student.
The new sports facility, which will be maintained by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), will have separate tracks for 400 metres athletics training, two courts each for basketball, volleyball, table tennis, badminton, tennis, kho-kho, kabaddi, and football.
Among civic amenities, the new facility will have an administrative block, separate accommodation and changing rooms for sportspersons, washrooms, water taps, CCTV cameras, and a modern gym. Parking facilities for two-wheelers, cars and buses have also been provided. Rainwater harvesting system and storm water drains are also being built.
Unlike other district sports complexes, the new facility in Tirupattur will have an open-air theatre where award ceremonies, video presentations by coaches and other events can be held. Around 200 people can be accommodated in the theatre. Landscaping and a hockey stadium will also be built.
In Ranipet, the new facility is being built on the spacious 16.06-acre plot once used by the Armed Reserve (AR) wing of the district police. Along with PWD officials, Ranipet Collector N. Priya Ravichandran inspected the ongoing sports complex in Ranipet town.
PWD officials said the remaining works in the two complexes include lighting facilities, strengthening of the track, a dining area for sportspersons in hostels, CCTV cameras and compound wall.
Published – September 04, 2026 12:10 am IST
