Synthetic track work at Mangala Stadium finally begins

January 27, 2012

Mangalore, January 27: After several postponements, the construction work of a new state-of-the-art synthetic track at Manala Stadium in the city was commenced on Friday.

Deputy Speaker of Karnataka Legislative Assembly N Yogish Bhat performed the guddali pooja in the presence of Mangalore MLA U T Khader and Deputy Commissioner N S Chennappa Gowda.

Speaking to media persons on the occasion, Mr Bhat said that the State Government has already released Rs 3.15 crore, out of the estimated cost of Rs 8 crore for the track.

He said that currently 1D track would be constructed utilizing Rs 3.15 crore and the same track would be converted into 2D once the government released remaining fund.

Mr Bhat hoped that the track would produce international level athletes in this coastal city.

Earlier, tender had been called for providing facilities at only one side of the track. The Rs. 3.15-crore project, awarded through tender, had been bagged by the Delhi-based sports infrastructure company Syncotts International.

The Dakshina Kannada Athletics Association had made a strong case for providing various facilities on either side within the tracks ('D' area in sports parlance). The original tender had a provision for sports facilities only on one 'D'. The Dakshina Kannada District Athletics Association had made a strong case for facilities on either side.

Deputy Commissioner N.S. Channappa Gowda, who heads the Stadium Committee, informed that the administration had been negotiating with the Delhi-based company to set up facilities on either D at an additional estimated cost of Rs. 40 lakh to Rs. 45 lakh.

He said the company was given three months to complete the work. It would be given additional 15 days to provide the facilities on either side, he said.

A good stadium, which was recognised by Indian Athletics Federation, should have facilities for pole vault, javelin throw, hammer throw, discuss throw, and shot put and steeple chase events in the D area. The markings and provisions were done in such a way that any of these events could be conducted on either of the D areas, according to District Sports School Athletics Coach Vasanthkumar.

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Mangaluru Tees Off Big: Golf Excellence Academy to Open at Pilikula

News Network

February 1,2026

The coastal city of Mangaluru is gearing up for a major sporting milestone with the launch of a Golf Excellence Academy at the Pilikula Golf Club (PGC), scheduled to open on May 31. The initiative aims to position Mangaluru firmly on India’s national golfing map.

Speaking to reporters on Saturday during PGC’s first-ever floodlit Pro-Am tournament, club captain Manoj Kumar Shetty said the project is being funded by UAE-based philanthropist Michael D’Souza and is currently in the design phase. Experts from leading golf academies across the country are expected to visit Mangaluru to help shape the training programme and infrastructure.

The academy will train 20 young golfers at a time, with a long-term vision of producing national-level players from the region. Until now, PGC relied on an in-house coach, but the recent renovation of the course and the introduction of floodlights have opened new possibilities for expanding the sport.

Shetty said discussions are underway with two reputed coaching academies, whose heads are expected to visit PGC shortly. “A dormitory for trainers is already under construction. We are inviting academies to assess the facilities and suggest changes so we can build a truly world-class Golf Excellence Academy,” he said.

Professional golfer Aryan Roopa Anand noted that the floodlit course would be a game-changer for young players. “Students can now practise after school hours, even up to 8 or 9 pm, without compromising on academics,” he said.

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