Katpadi opens 5 million-rupee box cricket facility at district stadium

A net-enclosed cricket facility costing 5 million rupees opened at the district sports stadium in Katpadi, Vellore, on October 9. The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu will maintain it, The Hindu reports.

District Collector P.S. Leela Alex inaugurated the facility. Sports authority officials expect it to raise revenue for the complex and expand training opportunities for young players, particularly those from rural areas.

District Sports Officer R. Sethuraman said players will have nets, cricket markings and floodlights. Officials described the facility as between 100 and 120 feet long, 50 to 70 feet wide and 20 feet high.

It will operate daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., including Sundays. Booking costs 826 rupees per hour. Officials compared that with 1,500 rupees charged by private operators and said it would be affordable for young players who typically come in groups of 10.

Parking, drinking water and washrooms are available. The facility adds to the 36.68-acre district sports complex, opened in November 2023 at a cost of 108.1 million rupees.

The complex includes an open-air auditorium for at least 1,500 spectators, eight lanes for 400-meter athletics training, courts for several team sports and a gym. It also provides space for javelin practice.