MGR Race Course Stadium

The MGR Race Course Stadium (also known as MGR Stadium) is a multi-purpose stadium in Madurai, India. It hosts several sporting events, including both, national and international kabaddi championships. It has a seating capacity of 10,000 and features a 400m synthetic athletic track. Constructed in 1970 in an area of 26 acres (11 ha), the stadium is the main sports venue of Madurai that has facilities to host over 12 sport disciplines.

MGR Stadium

Race Course Stadium
Full name	MGR Stadium
Location	Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
Coordinates	9.562415°N 78.083458°E
Owner	Sport Development Authority of Tamil Nadu
Capacity	10,000[1]
Acreage	26 acres
Surface	Polyurethane
Construction
Opened	1970
Renovated	2004, 2012

History

It was established by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu in 1970. It is one of the main sport destination in Madurai that is used by about 3000 people per day.[2] In 2004, ₹2.2 crore (equivalent to ₹6.3 crore or US$880,000 in 2019) was sanctioned by the state government for improving the infrastructure at the stadium.[3] It was renovated once again in 2012.[4]

It hosted the paralympic sports meeting, 1st South Zone Tamil Nadu Paralympic Swimming Championship in 2014.[5] A proposal for constructing gallery around its hockey ground[2] and for a shooting range were sent to government in 2014.[6]

Facilities

The stadium primarily used for hosting athletic events.[7][8] Facilities at stadium include a 400m synthetic track for athletic events, four badminton courts, basketball courts, a cricket field, a football field, tennis courts, table tennis courts, volleyball court and a 25 metres (82 ft) swimming pool.[2][9] It is also used to host other events such as kabaddi, powerlifting, shooting in state and national levels.[8][10][11] The stadium also has a male hostel which houses 140 inmates practising athletics, badminton, basketball, hockey, volleyball and football.[2]

References

1. "Amaravati Sports Hub PIM" (PDF). crda.ap.gov.in. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 May 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
2. Shrikumar, A. (4 November 2019). "This one-stop sports destination needs better facilities". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 6 March 2020.
3. "Rs. 2.2 crores for MGR Race Course Stadium". The Hindu. Madurai. 29 May 2004. Retrieved 29 June 2012.
4. "MGR Race Course Stadium". maduraitourism. 20 May 2015. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
5. "South Zone Tamil Nadu Paralympic Swimming Championship". enabled.in. 16 June 2014. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
6. MGR Race Course Stadium to be maintained by the government, retrieved 4 May 2020
7. "MGR Race Course Stadium, Madurai, India Tourist Information". www.touristlink.com. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
8. "MGR Race Course Stadium Madurai, Popular Stadiums in Madurai". www.maduraionline.in. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
9. "Annexure-4District Sports Tournaments" (PDF). nyks.nic.in. Archived (PDF) from the original on 4 May 2020. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
10. Staff Reporter (23 January 2018). "Sports event". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 May 2020.
11. "Kabaddi tournament to be held in Madurai". The Hindu. 1 March 2010. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 4 May 2020.