Over a century after the princely state of Baroda etched its name in history by hosting the 'Olympics of Indian games,' Vadodara is launching a massive infrastructure drive to reclaim its status as a premier sporting destination. The city is poised to transform into Gujarat's emerging sports capital with a strategic investment in state-of-the-art facilities, eyeing a potential role in the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2030.
A Rs 165 Crore Blueprint for Sporting Excellence
The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has unveiled plans to construct four new outdoor and indoor sports complexes across the city. These facilities are designed with modern infrastructure to nurture talent across multiple disciplines. The complexes will be located in Harni, Gotri, Akota, and Manjalpur.
The sports complexes in Harni and Gotri will be built at an approximate cost of Rs 55 crore each. The Akota facility is planned with a budget of Rs 40 crore, while the Manjalpur sports arena will come up at a cost of about Rs 15 crore. This cumulative investment of Rs 165 crore signifies a major commitment to upgrading the city's sporting ecosystem.
Positioning for the Commonwealth Games and Beyond
Vadodara Municipal Commissioner Arun Mahesh Babu outlined the city's ambitious vision. "We want to develop Vadodara as a sports hub that will be fully equipped to host the Commonwealth Games if the government decides to allot some tournaments to the city," Babu stated. He emphasized that the goal extends beyond construction to long-term maintenance, ensuring world-class facilities for years to come.
With Ahmedabad winning the bid for the CWG 2030, Vadodara is actively positioning itself as a support city. The city already boasts significant assets, including an Olympic-sized swimming pool at the Sama Indoor Sports Complex and 12 wooden-floor table tennis courts. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) CEO Raghuram Iyer recently indicated that Vadodara could be in contention to co-host cricket matches during the 2030 Games.
"Our goal is not just to build sports complexes but to maintain them for the years to come. We want to push Vadodara as a support city for the CWG and other big games," Babu told The Times of India.
Building a Holistic Sporting Ecosystem
The development plan is comprehensive. Beyond the four major complexes, the VMC is working on building five new covered swimming pools across different city zones, each costing Rs 14.65 crore. Commissioner Babu also plans to establish a regional zonal training centre for professional sports coaching, accompanied by a sports hostel for out-of-town athletes.
To bolster its cricket credentials, the VMC is constructing a new cricket ground in Gotri at a cost of Rs 6 crore, supplementing the existing modern international stadium in Kotambi. Civic officials confirmed that work has already begun on upgrading existing infrastructure, including athletic tracks and facilities at the Manjalpur and Sama Outdoor Sports Complexes.
These new complexes will add to the three modern indoor and outdoor sports facilities that already host national-level tournaments in the city. The initiative aims not only to produce elite athletes but also to instil a robust sporting culture among Vadodara's citizens, reconnecting with its rich legacy as one of India's oldest sporting hubs.
