Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav has said that the International Sports Complex being developed at Nathu Barkheda in Bhopal is one of the largest and most ambitious sports infrastructure projects ever undertaken in Madhya Pradesh.
CM said that the world-class facility will enable the State to host international sporting events, helping Bhopal establish a distinct identity on the global sporting map.
CM Dr. Yadav said that the International Sports Complex, being developed across 136.296 acres at a cost of Rs 985.76 crore, will mark a significant milestone in establishing Madhya Pradesh as one of the country’s leading sports hubs.
CM Dr. Mohan Yadav inspected the ongoing construction works at the International Sports Complex in Nathu Barkheda on Monday. Minister for Sports and Youth Welfare Vishwas Kailash Sarang, Chairman of the Madhya Pradesh Youth Commission Praveen Sharma, Secretary, Sports, Sanjeev Singh, Director, Sports, Anshuman Yadav, along with other officials and sportspersons, were present on the occasion.
Synthetic Hockey Turf
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav inspected the international-standard synthetic hockey turf at the Sports Complex. Sports Minister Sarang informed that, in the first phase of the project, a hockey stadium with a 5,000-seat pavilion, built to international standards, along with the synthetic hockey turf, has been completed. The Sports Department will soon take possession of the facility. He informed that the Asian Women’s Hockey Championship will be held on this synthetic turf in October-November this year.
The Chief Minister directed officials to complete all preparations for the championship well ahead of schedule. It was also informed that two convention centres are being developed within the Sports Complex.
Synthetic Athletics Track
Dr. Yadav also inspected the synthetic athletics track and reviewed the facilities being developed for athletes. Sarang informed that the athletics track is being constructed in accordance with the standards of the World Athletics and the Athletics Federation of India, along with a 10,000-seat pavilion to host international competitions. A football stadium is also being developed at the centre of the athletics track. The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure world-class facilities for both athletes and spectators.
About the International Sports Complex at Nathu Barkheda
The International Sports Complex is being developed in three phases across 136.296 acres at Nathu Barkheda in Bhopal with the objective of establishing Madhya Pradesh as a leading sports hub. Under the first phase, an athletics stadium with a synthetic track, warm-up track and pavilion, along with a hockey stadium featuring an international-standard synthetic turf, pavilion and practice field has been completed. The first phase has been completed in its entirety.
The second phase includes the construction of an indoor sports complex, an all-weather swimming complex, hostel facilities with accommodation for 150 boys and 150 girls, and an equestrian cross-country track. The work is scheduled for completion by November 2026. The third phase proposes a cricket stadium and a cycling velodrome. The State Government has accorded administrative approval of Rs 357.96 crore for the first phase and ₹627.80 crore for the second phase, taking the total project cost to Rs 985.76 crore.
Chief Minister Interacts with Army Recruitment Aspirants
Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also interacted with candidates participating in the ongoing Army recruitment drive being conducted by the Army Recruitment Office, Bhopal, at the Sports Complex. The candidates had qualified in the first stage of the recruitment process and had appeared for the physical and medical examinations.
