The Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex at Balewadi has a swanky look ahead of the Third Commonwealth Youth Games that begin here on October 12.
All nine venues are ready to host 1,300-odd participants from 71 countries who will start arriving in Pune from Wednesday for the mega event.
The sports complex, located some 20km from Pune station has been renovated at the cost of Rs 350 crore.
The games village is also ready. Each air-conditioned, furnished room will accommodate three, while the dining hall will seat 1,000 people. The sports science centre and the new hostel are ready for the athletes. Each room will accommodate three people.
"The venue will be the best in the country. We are making sure that it is used even after CYG," Suresh Kalmadi, organising committee chairman, said on Monday.
"We have confirmation from at least four countries who want to hire this place for four months beforethe 2010 Commonwealth Games," said Kalmadi.
The flipside is that the approach road to the stadium is not yet ready.
"The 9-km Baner Road, which is the nearest approach to the venue, is in a shambles," said Kalmadi.
However, the rest of the city is getting all ready. CYG graffitis abound and the countdown clock at Alka Chowk is ticking away.
Several city schools have postponed their examinations in view of the games.
Source: dnaindia.com 07/oct/2008
