University in Guntur set to be ‘athletics hub’ of Andhra Pradesh

By this year end, the Acharya Nagarjuna University campus will acquire a venue of international standards set by the International Amateur Athletic Federation.

Published : Jun 15, 2017 19:19 IST , Vijayawada

The newly-laid 400-m synthetic track at Acharya Nagarjuna University.
The newly-laid 400-m synthetic track at Acharya Nagarjuna University.
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The newly-laid 400-m synthetic track at Acharya Nagarjuna University.

By this year end, Acharya Nagarjuna University (ANU) campus in Guntur District will acquire a venue of international standards set by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF).

When the four-day Senior National Athletic Championship begins on July 12 it will be showcasing an eight-lane 400-metre synthetic track surrounded by 300 high-mast broad-beamed flood lights with 2,000 Lux intensity. “The works are being carried out by the Central Public Works Department and it will be completed in a month’s time,” said Prof. Y. Kishore, physical director of the University.

Works to lay the eco-friendly, all-weather track began last December with the help of the Ministry of Sports and ANU with an estimated cost of Rs. 7 crores. Mr. Kishore said along with floodlight installation three more projects were underway which will give ANU the status to host international athletic events. “A 400-metre warm-up synthetic track with six-lane has been sanctioned along with a sports hostel accommodating 200 beds. The hostel will help us stage national camps and Indian camps. We are also coming up with a fitness centre with all the latest gym apparatus,” he added.

Mr. Kishore said all these projects were taken up with an estimated cost of Rs. 27.5 crores with the help of the State government. “For the fitness centre, the University Grants Commission (UGC) has contributed Rs 2.2 crores and ANU has pitched in with Rs one crore,” he pointed out.

With the new capital city coming up at Amaravathi just 15 kilometers from ANU, this centre will transform as a hub for athletics activities in the State,” felt L. V. Subrahmanyam, Special Chief Secretary (Sports) to Andhra Pradesh Government.

The varsity authorities are also coming up with a power substation with generator facility as a backup. In the second phase, it wants to spruce up galleries with solar panels as canopies. Incidentally, ANU, after staging the senior Nationals will play host to Junior Nationals in November and all India Inter-university athletic meet in December.

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