In a major boost to the city’s sporting aspirations, efforts are gaining momentum to establish a modern hockey stadium in Belagavi under the Central Government’s prestigious Khelo India programme.
The proposed project aims to revive the city’s rich hockey legacy while providing world-class infrastructure for aspiring athletes.
A delegation from Hockey Belagavi, led by senior BJP leader and prominent Maratha community figure Kiran Jadhav, recently met Belagavi MP Jagadish Shettar and Cantonment Board CEO Sudam Manchanwar to discuss the proposal and seek support for the project.
During the meeting, the delegation highlighted Belagavi’s historic contribution to Indian hockey, noting that the city has produced several national and international-level players over the decades. However, the absence of a modern synthetic turf stadium has forced local players to train on inadequate grounds, limiting their opportunities to compete at higher levels.
The representatives stressed the need for a world-class hockey facility equipped with synthetic turf and modern amenities to nurture young talent and enable Belagavi to host state and national-level tournaments.
Responding positively, MP Jagadish Shettar assured the delegation of his full support. He said Belagavi’s contribution to Indian hockey is widely recognised and that providing quality sports infrastructure is essential for the city’s future. Shettar also pledged to pursue the matter with the Central Government and secure the necessary approvals and financial assistance under the Khelo India scheme.
Cantonment Board CEO Sudam Manchanwar assured complete administrative cooperation for the project and said the proposal would be prepared and forwarded to the Central Government at the earliest. The technical responsibility for preparing the project has been entrusted to Cantonment Board Executive Engineer Satish Manolkar.
Members of Hockey Belagavi expressed confidence that the proposed stadium would mark a new chapter in the city’s sporting history. They said the facility would not only preserve Belagavi’s proud hockey heritage but also inspire a new generation of players by offering world-class training facilities and a pathway to national and international success.
If approved, the project is expected to significantly strengthen Belagavi’s sports infrastructure and restore the city as one of Karnataka’s leading centres for hockey development.
