Rs 175-Cr Sports Complex in Hubballi Gets Five-Month Deadline, Union Minister Urges State Support

Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has directed officials to complete the Rs 175-crore international-level sports complex in Hubballi within five months, extending the initial two-month deadline proposed by Smart City authorities. The facility, coming up in Lohia Nagar under the Smart City Project, is a first-of-its-kind development in the region.

The sports complex, modelled after Jharkhand’s Sports Village, is expected to transform Hubballi into a sporting hub. During his site visit on May 5, Joshi emphasized the need for quality and completeness over speed, stating that the project must be ready for full-fledged use within five months.

“This is a key infrastructure for youth and sports in North Karnataka. We must ensure no compromises are made in its execution,” Joshi told officials.

MLA Arvind Bellad, who accompanied Joshi, confirmed that discussions are underway with various companies to determine long-term operational management. The focus, he said, is on partnering with organizations that have proven success in athlete development.

The complex will offer free or subsidized training for national and international athletes, while fee structures for the general public are still being finalized. An estimated Rs 60 crore will be needed annually for hiring expert coaches and maintaining the facility.

Joshi urged the Karnataka government to step in with financial support, citing the facility’s long-term value to the state’s sports ecosystem. He also noted that while the national Smart City Mission officially ended on March 31, unfinished projects like this one would continue under the existing SPV, for which an extension request is being prepared.

Once completed, the complex is expected to not only nurture elite athletes but also boost local sports participation and tourism, marking a significant milestone for the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad.