Mysore/Mysuru: Ahead of Dasara Sports Meet, the Chamundi Vihar Stadium in Nazarbad is getting a facelift.

The 4-day State-level Dasara Sports is scheduled to take place at the stadium from Sept. 22 to 25. As part of the facelift, the Stadium is getting a new look with the construction of a new kickboxing ring, a new Sports Science Centre, a renovated football stadium, a hammer throw cage, upgradation of hostels and laying of Cement Concrete (CC) pavement.

The new kickboxing ring is being set up at a cost of Rs. 20 lakh with support from Karnataka Olympic Association (KOA) while the Sports Science Centre is being established at a cost of Rs. 3.5 crore. This centre has a facility for treating sports injuries, maintenance of physical fitness, physiotherapy, oxygen unit, physical exercises, Sports Psychology Unit and such other services.

With Dasara festival fast approaching, the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports is gearing up to getting the football stadium readied for Dasara sports meet. The Department has written a letter to the Forest Department seeking permission for removal of plants, shrubs and other vegetation around the adjacent Saibaba temple so as to enable it to host football, kabaddi, kho-kho and handball contests there.

Meanwhile, the old hammer throw cage in athletics ground is getting a complete overhaul and the new cage is expected to get ready by Dasara  sporting event. The other facilities that would come up in the stadium, include a renovated dining hall, a fully equipped kitchen, renovation of swimming pool, hostels etc., thus giving a completely new and refreshing look to the decades-old stadium.

Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports Assistant Director Bhaskar Nayak said that preparations are underway for the conduct of Dasara sports meet with a host of new facilities at Chamundi Vihar Stadium. In view of the State-level Dasara Sports Meet to be held in the city from Sept. 22 to 25, the authorities have been directed to complete all Taluk and District- level Sports Meet by Sept. 10,  he added.