Journalism of Courage
AFTER developing a cycle track outside his residence, Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav has announced that a cycle academy will be set up in Lucknow’s Guru Govind Singh Sports College.
The academy with its hostels — worth Rs 168 crore — will be the first such institute in the state to be developed on a 10-acre area. The complex’s rooftop will be in the shape of a bicycle — SP’s election symbol. The layout and design of the project has been prepared.
The government has released Rs 5 crore as first installment for the project, which will be executed by UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam.
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Secretary (Sports and Youth Welfare) Bhuvnesh Kumar said work has begun for the cycle academy, which will provide world-class facilities to cyclists and act as a spot where international competitions can be held.
“This will be the first cycling velodrome in UP where students will be trained in cycling and prepared for international-level competitions,” Sports Director R P Singh said.
Joint Director (Sports) Anil Kumar Banaudha said while academy campus will be covered, the rooftop could be opened to hold events in natural light and save electricity. As many as 4,500 people can be accommodated at the academy, which will be centrally air-conditioned.
“There will be eight cycle tracks and cyclists can cover a distance of 250-m in a single round. The velodrome will be made of Belgium Pine wood and used during competitions only. Another concrete cycle track — made of cement — will be developed for routine practice,” he added.
The area inside the circle of velodromes will be used to hold competitions of indoor games like badminton, handball, basket ball, gymnastics and netball. With proper lighting arrangement, night events can also be held.
Once the academy is ready, Guru Govind Singh Sports College will add cycling in its list of courses.
Currently, the college is admitting players for hockey, cricket, football, volleyball, athletics, lawn tennis, badminton and swimming.
“Hostel facility will be available for cycling students and the government will appoint national-level cyclists to train them,” Banaudha said.
The academy could well be used as an amphitheater for holding exhibitions, too.
