Kyongsa Stadium not sold to Centre, rumours baseless: Sports dept

KUSH HANG LEEWANG

GEYZING, : The State Sports and Youth Affairs department has dismissed as “completely false and fabricated” rumours that Kyongsa Stadium in Geyzing has been sold to a Central government ministry, asserting that there was no question of handing over or selling the State-owned sports infrastructure.

Officials said the stadium was developed with substantial investment from the State government, while certain facilities, including the laying of synthetic turf and establishment of the Khelo India Centre for Athletics and Archery, were supported under sports development programmes through Khelo India Sikkim.

“The general public should not be swayed by such fictitious claims and rumour-mongering. The possibility of handing over or selling State-owned infrastructure to agencies outside the State is not viable, particularly when the State government has invested a substantial amount of funds in developing such projects,” officials said.

The tender for the long-awaited, multi-faceted stadium project was initiated by the then SDF government through the Sports and Youth Affairs department in 2011, with completion scheduled for 2013.

However, the project progressed slowly after the contractor entrusted with the work died unexpectedly.

The construction cost was subsequently revised and the department handed over the work to another contractor in May 2018. According to officials, the overall cost of the stadium project was around Rs. 28 crore.

After the Sikkim KrantikariMorcha government came to power in 2019, construction gained momentum as the State government stepped up efforts to complete the long-pending project.

Chief Minister P.S.Golay inaugurated the stadium on March 10, 2024, during his visit to West Sikkim, although laying of the synthetic turf was still pending at the time.

The synthetic turf and other necessary infrastructure, including the Khelo India Centre for Athletics and Archery, were subsequently sponsored by Khelo India Sikkim at a cost of Rs. 6.6 crore, officials said.

Arpan Subedi, junior engineer of the department, said coaches for archery and athletics had also been appointed through Khelo India Sikkim to provide sports training facilities to local youth.

A practice ground at the rear of the main stadium is currently being constructed by the Sports and Youth Affairs department and is scheduled for completion by March 2027, an official said.

The stadium became functional this month, hosting 15-dayIndependence Day celebrations featuring various sporting and cultural activities. A formal inauguration ceremony is expected to be held at a later date.

One of the largest playing grounds in Sikkim, Kyongsa Stadium measures approximately 111.5 metres by 74 metres, while its field of play measures 105 metres by 60 metres.

The complex also includes a boxing arena, badminton court and hostel, besides the practice ground under construction. Officials said the stadium has been certified by FIFA.

Subedi said the department has notified that a fee would be charged per day to parties seeking to organise sporting or other events at the stadium.

Revenue generated from such activities would be used towards maintenance of the facility, he said.

He added that, once completed, the practice ground could also be used for activities other than sports.

Sports and Youth Affiars deputy director said the department could charge up to Rs. 7,000 per day for cultural festivities in the stadium premises. However, he added that the notification containing such provisions was yet to be furnished by the department.