New velodrome worth Rs 35 crore to come up at Balewadi sports complex in Pune ahead of Grand Challenge Tour cycling
'There was a meeting called to discuss the upcoming Pune Grand Challenge Tour 2026. I proposed developing a velodrome at the state government-owned sports complex in Balewadi. It was immediately given a go-ahead by Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar along with assurance of funding of Rs 35 crore for the project,' said Sports Commissioner Sheetal Teli-Ugale Monday.
'I informed the deputy chief minister that the state of the existing velodrome is so bad that the youths practising at the facility get injured after falling. The existing velodrome should be demolished and a new world-class facility should be constructed as a remembrance of starting the international cycle event in the Pune district,' she said.
The new velodrome will be a symbol of the international event in Pune and will also nurture prospective cyclists for international competitions, said Teli-Ugale, adding that all damaged structures will be demolished and replaced to meet world-class standards. However, buildings and other materials that can be reused will not be reconstructed, she said.
The sports directorate will work to construct a velodrome before the international cycle race competition, Ugale-Teli said. 'We are not sure whether work will be completed before the international event, as the state government has to complete the technical process of issuing a government resolution for allocating funds for the project. It is only after that that the tender process will be started, and thereafter actual work will start.'
She said the planning for organising the international sports event has just begun, with responsibilities distributed to various government organisations. 'There will be frequent meetings for this purpose. The route for the cycle race will also be finalised by the concerned sports authority and informed to us. This race will pass through all terrains.'
The Pune Grand Challenge Tour 2026 will be a pioneering event in India, modelled after esteemed global races like the Tour de France. This multi-stage race will cover over 600 kilometres, traversing urban, rural, and hilly terrains across various locations, including Pune city, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Baramati, Mulshi, Maval, Purandar, Bhor, and Velhe, among others.
Ajay Jadhav is an Assistant Editor with The Indian Express, Pune. He writes on Infrastructure, Politics, Civic issues, Sustainable Development and related stuff. He is a trekker and a sports enthusiast.
Ajay has written research articles on the Conservancy staff that created a nationwide impact in framing policy to improve the condition of workers handling waste.
Ajay has been consistently writing on politics and infrastructure. He brought to light the lack of basic infrastructure of school and hospital in the hometown of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde even as two private helipads were developed by the leader who mostly commutes from Mumbai to Satara in helicopter.
Ajay has been reporting on sustainable development initiatives that protects the environment while ensuring infrastructure development. ... Read More
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
29 minutes ago
- First Post
Rishabh Pant suffers fractured toe, India wait on possibility of him batting again in fourth Test: Report
While India are still hoping Rishabh Pant can bat again in the fourth Test against England with the help of painkillers, Ishan Kishan will be added to the squad reportedly for the fifth Test. read more Rishabh Pant has reportedly suffered a fractured toe after injuring his right foot on Day 1 of the fourth Test vs England. Image: Reuters Rishabh Pant is most likely ruled out of the ongoing fourth Test against England after suffering a freak right foot injury on Day 1, Wednesday, a media report has claimed. Additionally, Ishan Kishan could be added to the Indian Test squad for the fifth Test as a replacement for Pant. Pant suffered a after inside-edging a fuller delivery from Chris Woakes onto his right foot while attempting a reverse sweep on the opening day of the Manchester Test. The 27-year-old Indian wicketkeeper-batter was in considerable pain as he was seen hobbling. Later, he was taken out of the field with the help of a buggy and went for scans. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Pant advised six weeks' rest The BCCI is yet to officially release the result of the scans, but reports in The Indian Express and Hindustan Times on Thursday claimed that Pant has suffered a toe fracture and has been advised six weeks' rest. Also Read | Rishabh Pant's freak injury shows it's time for Test cricket to allow injury replacements However, Pant could come out to bat against in the ongoing fourth Test at Manchester if need arises and he manages to do, as India are 2-1 behind England and are hoping to level the series before the decider at The Oval. 'The scan report showed a fracture and he is ruled out for six weeks. The medical team is trying to see if he can come out to bat again by taking a pain killer. He still needs support to walk though and chances of his batting looks very bleak,' a BCCI source told The Indian Express. Pant, who was batting on 37 when the incident took place, has been in great form in the Test series against England. He has scored 462 runs so far, the second-highest in the series. Pant had also injured his left index finger in the third Test at Lord's, but that did not impact his batting, while Dhruv Jurel kept the wickets for India during the majority of the game.
Mint
29 minutes ago
- Mint
Rishabh Pant ruled out of ENG vs IND Test series; BCCI to call back IPL 2025 hero after two years as replacement: Report
Rishabh Pant got injured during the Manchester Test. Now, he will miss the final match due to a toe fracture. India's wicketkeeper has been asked to take six weeks of rest, according to The Indian Express. The injury happened when a ball hit his right foot during a reverse sweep. Ishan Kishan will join the squad for the fifth Test, starting July 31 at The Oval, as per the publication. The last time Ishan Kishan played a Test match for India was in July 2023. In IPL 2025, Ishan played for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He scored a century in his debut for Hyderabad. Kishan, along with Shreyas Iyer, earlier lost their BCCI central contracts for not prioritising domestic cricket. India are in the middle of an injury crisis before the fourth Test. All-rounder Nitesh Kumar Reddy is out with a knee injury. Bowlers Akash Deep and Arshdeep Singh are also unavailable. With one player short, the team has asked doctors if Pant can bat after taking a pain killer. However, Pant needs help even to walk. 'The scan report showed a fracture and he is ruled out for six weeks. The medical team is trying to see if he can come out to bat again by taking a pain killer. He still needs support to walk though and chances of his batting looks very bleak,' a BCCI source told The Indian Express. (This is a developing story. Check back for more details.)
India.com
29 minutes ago
- India.com
Rishabh Pant Advised Six Weeks Recovery After Toe Fracture, May Rule Out From 4th And 5th Test: Report
In a significant setback for India's Test squad, wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who retired hurt on the opening day of the Manchester Test, has been advised to rest for six weeks due to a fractured toe. During the 68th over of India's innings, Pant was batting on 37 when he attempted a pre-planned reverse sweep against seamer Chris Woakes but missed the ball, which struck his right boot after taking an inside edge. With Pant unavailable, the Indian team management has requested the medical staff to assess whether he might bat again if needed, by taking painkillers. According to a source in the BCCI speaking to The Indian Express, 'The scan report showed a fracture and he is ruled out for six weeks. The medical team is trying to see if he can come out to bat again by taking a pain killer. He still needs support to walk though and chances of his batting looks very bleak.' BREAKING Rishabh Pant advised six weeks rest because of fractured toe, reports @pdevendra #INDvENG #CricketTwitter — Express Sports (@IExpressSports) July 24, 2025 Further Plans Ahead of the fifth Test, the selection committee is expected to bring in Ishan Kishan as Pant will miss the final match, scheduled from July 31 to August 4 at The Oval. India is currently battling an injury crisis with all-rounder Nitesh Kumar Reddy sidelined due to a knee injury, and fast bowlers Akash Deep (groin) and Arshedeep Singh (thumb) also unavailable for the fourth Test. Pant was visibly in pain after the injury, lying on the ground while the physiotherapist treated his swollen and bloodied right foot. He immediately hobbled off the field, removed his gloves, and summoned the physio before being taken off in the medical team's cart. Former cricketers Ricky Ponting and Michael Atherton expressed concerns over the severity of the injury. Getting hit on the head by a tap + twisting the ankle while running + getting the finger stuck in the gate while closing it = this is the pain Rishabh Pant bhai Sadhe Sati chal raha hai — AT10 (@Loyalsachfan10) July 23, 2025 Pant retired hurt on 37 runs and was replaced by Ravindra Jadeja. India later lost Sai Sudharsan, but Jadeja and Shardul Thakur managed to take the team to 264 for four by stumps. Rishabh Pant has been in a stellar form this series having scored 499 runs. He had already accumulated 462 runs in the series before the current match. In the 4th Test at Old Trafford, he was batting on 37 runs before being forced to retire hurt due to a foot injury. He also set a new record as the highest run-scoring visiting wicketkeeper in England. The 27-year-old amassed 1018 runs across 13 Test matches and 24 innings, boasting an impressive average of 44.26 and a strike rate of 71.28. He surpassed former India captain MS Dhoni, who previously held the second position with 778 runs.
