Ahmedabad: Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the newly built Naranpura Sports Complex, a state-of-the-art international-level sports infrastructure project, in Ahmedabad on Sunday.

Shah’s day-long visit to Gujarat will also include participation in the Hindi Day celebrations at Mahatma Mandir Convention Centre in Gandhinagar, where he is scheduled to attend the 5th Akhil Bharatiya Rajbhasha Sammelan. Following this, he will inaugurate a newly constructed girls’ hostel at Sardardham near Vaishnodevi Circle and interact with trustees and young entrepreneurs.

Later in the afternoon, Shah will inaugurate the Naranpura Sports Complex and chair a review meeting at the Ahmedabad circuit house on various ongoing development projects in the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency, which he represents. Several parts of Ahmedabad fall under the constituency’s jurisdiction.

Constructed at a cost of ₹823.52 crore, the Naranpura Sports Complex spans over 82,507 sq. m (approximately 21 acres) with a built-up area of 1.18 lakh sq. m. Shah had laid the foundation stone for the project on May 29, 2022.

The complex is poised to host major international events including the Asian Aquatics Championships and the World Weightlifting Championships.

Key Facilities at the Naranpura Sports Complex:

• Aquatics Centre: Olympic-standard swimming pool (51.5m x 25m x 3m).

• Centre for Sports Excellence: Facilities for badminton, volleyball, basketball, taekwondo, kabaddi, wrestling, and other indoor sports.

• Indoor Multi-Sports Arena: Seating capacity of 5,200, designed to host multiple sporting events.

• Outdoor Sports Zone: Courts for lawn tennis, basketball, and volleyball.

• Community Sports Centre: Six badminton courts, five table tennis areas, six squash courts, and an indoor shooting range.

• Fit India Zone: Open for public fitness activities, featuring yoga areas, a gym, jogging track, and skating rink.

The Naranpura Sports Complex is expected to boost Ahmedabad’s profile as a global sports destination while also providing world-class facilities for athletes and citizens alike.

As India prepares its bid for the 2036 Olympics and the 2030 Commonwealth Games, Gujarat has unveiled a landmark project that could redefine the country’s sports infrastructure. The Naranpura Sports Complex, spread across 1.18 lakh square metres and built at a cost of ₹824 crore, is the state’s largest and most advanced sports facility. Union Home Minister Amit Shah will inaugurate the complex on September 14 in Ahmedabad, marking a significant milestone in India’s sporting journey.

A Vision for Global Sporting Events

The complex has already drawn international attention. Delegations from the Commonwealth Games, World Police & Fire Games, and Australian Sports Excellence Forum have visited the venue and endorsed its world-class facilities. It has also been approved to host prestigious tournaments such as the Asian Aquatics Championships and the World Weightlifting Championships.

Officials emphasize that the facility was designed with the 2036 Olympics in mind, ensuring compliance with global standards and federation guidelines.

Designed for Excellence

Foundation stone for the project was laid by Amit Shah in May 2022. Guided by the Sports Authority of Gujarat, the Department of Sports, Youth and Cultural Activities, and the Government of India, the complex was planned with state-of-the-art technology and international specifications.

The campus includes four major buildings and is divided into six functional zones, ensuring facilities not just for athletes but also for citizens. A sprawling parking area with space for 850 two-wheelers and 800 four-wheelers ensures easy accessibility, while its central location in Ahmedabad makes it well-connected.

Six Zones of Sporting Power

Block A: Aquatics Stadium

Equipped with an Olympic-standard swimming pool and diving pool, the Aquatics Stadium accommodates 1,500 spectators. While the seating capacity falls short of Olympic norms (12,000 seats required), it fully meets standards for Commonwealth and international events. Built using Myrtha Pool Technology, the pools feature modular, eco-friendly, and earthquake-resistant designs that minimize leakage and ensure swimmer safety.

Block B: Centre for Sports Excellence

This section houses two large halls capable of hosting basketball, volleyball, badminton, taekwondo, kabaddi, wrestling, and table tennis events simultaneously. The block also includes a sports science and fitness centre, medical facilities, lounges, equipment rooms, and accommodation for athletes and coaches.

Block C: Indoor Multi-Sports Arena

The largest zone, this arena can host Olympic-level competitions with 16 badminton courts, four basketball courts, four volleyball courts, gymnastics mats, and multipurpose facilities. With a seating capacity of 5,200 spectators, it also provides VIP lounges, media rooms, doping control areas, and athlete warm-up zones.

Block D: Community Sports Centre

Built like a modern clubhouse for citizens, this centre offers membership-based access to six badminton courts, six table tennis areas, squash courts, carrom, chess, billiards, snooker tables, a gym, aerobics facilities, and a library. It also includes an indoor shooting range and seating for 300 spectators.

Fit India Zone

Open to the public, the Fit India Zone features a yoga lawn, jogging track, outdoor gym, skating rink, children’s play area, and senior citizen seating. This initiative aims to promote community fitness alongside professional sports.

Outdoor Sports Arena

The outdoor zone includes six tennis courts, basketball and volleyball courts, and a warm-up swimming pool built to FINA standards.

Ahmedabad’s Sporting Future

India has already bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad. If successful, the Naranpura Sports Complex will be central to the event, sending a strong message to the world that India is ready for the 2036 Olympics.

International delegations that inspected the facility have given positive feedback, signaling confidence in Ahmedabad’s ability to meet global standards. For Gujarat, this complex is not just about sports—it is a declaration of ambition, aiming to place the city firmly on the international sporting map.