Collector P.S. Leela Alex inaugurated a box cricket turf established at a cost of ₹50 lakh at the District Sports Stadium in Katpadi in Vellore on Friday.

Officials of Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), which will maintain the facility, said the turf would help to boost revenue and promote sports at the grassroots-level, especially in rural areas. “The new facility will help budding cricketers in rural areas to get trained in covered nets with cricket markings and floodlights,” said R. Sethuraman, District Sports Officer (Vellore). 

The SDAT officials said that the new box cricket turf measured between 100ft and 120ft in length and 50ft to 70ft in width while the height was 20ft. The new facility with centralised lighting will remain open between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. on all days, including Sundays.

Officials said that the bookings have been priced at ₹826 per hour, which is much less than the market costs of private players who charge ₹1,500 an hour. Youngsters, who mostly come in groups of 10, would be able to afford this, they said.

All amenities including, parking facilities, drinking water and washrooms have been provided. Cool drinks and snack facilities within the complex will be a value addition.

Spread over 36.68 acres, the ₹10.81-crore District Sports Complex, which was opened in November 2023, has an open air auditorium that can accommodate at least 1,500 spectators, eight separate tracks for 400 metres athletics training, separate courts for basketball, volleyball, table tennis, tennis, coco, kabadi, football and a gym. Javelin throw can also be practised at the facility.