In the absence of a District Sports Complex, the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) conducted the District Level Sports Competitions for Women under Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan on November 21 and 22.
However, it had to conduct the various games in different venues in the district:
- The athletic events were conducted on the CMC grounds at Bagayam
- Kabaddi, volleyball and kho-kho at the Government Nethaji Stadium, Vellore
- Handball at Auxilium College, Vellore
- Gymnastics at Thirumathi Lakshmi Loganathan Matriculation School, Arcot
- Badminton at Royal Shuttle Club, Arakkonam
- Hockey at the fort ground in Vellore
- Lawn tennis at the Sathuvachari Champions Tennis Academy, Vellore
- Swimming at the Oasis swimming pool, Shenbakkam
- Table tennis at the Town Hall in Arakkonam
The absence of a District Sports Complex, like the establishments in other districts, is the main reason why it could not conduct all the events in the same place.
The Government Nethaji Stadium, which is the only government stadium in Vellore where the SDAT is located, is not sufficient to conduct all the events.
Nethaji Stadium is used by the Police Department for its regular parade and other activities, functionaries of various sports bodies making it difficult to conduct tournaments
There is no place even for regular practice for games including cricket and football.
Nethaji Stadium is not suitable and sufficient for conducting events such as 400-m, 800-m, 1200-m, 1500-m and 3000-m running events and javelin throw.
There is ample sporting talent in Vellore district including in villages, This talent could not be developed owing to the absence of a District Sports Complex. There is not even a government indoor stadium in Vellore. Chess is the only game played by all age groups.
The interest in football and hockey had declined among the youth owing to the absence of a sports complex. .
It is unfortunate that the district administration could not find a suitable site for housing the District Sports Complex more than 10 years after the government decided to establish such complexes in all districts.
Immediate action is the need of the moment.
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