The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) is set to transform the historic Ambedkar Stadium in Kochi into a modern sports city, with the entire project powered by corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds. This marks the first time in Kerala that a major sports infrastructure initiative will be implemented entirely through contributions from the corporate sector, signalling a new era in public-private partnership for sports development in the state.
Ambedkar Stadium, located near the KSRTC bus station in the heart of Kochi, has long been a landmark for football lovers. However, years of neglect turned the once-vibrant venue into a dilapidated space, with overgrown bushes and reports of anti-social activities. Recognising the urgent need for revitalisation, the GCDA has finalised plans to redevelop the 6.5-acre site into a comprehensive sports city, with a project cost estimated at ₹90 crore.
CSR Funds
The GCDA’s strategy is to mobilise CSR funds from ten major companies, each expected to contribute around ₹9 crore. Proposals have already been submitted, and two companies have given informal consent to support the project. The authority is categorising the entire development into modules, allowing each corporate partner to fund a specific part of the sports city. This modular approach is expected to speed up construction and ensure steady progress as funds are received.
Demolition of the old stadium galleries has already been completed, with debris removal underway. The first phase of construction will focus on building a new football stadium with a seating capacity of 15,000 to 20,000, featuring a natural turf of international standards and a modern drainage system to prevent flooding during the monsoon. The new sports city will also include a cricket pitch, volleyball and basketball courts, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a running track, and indoor facilities for sports such as badminton and table tennis. Additional amenities like a gymnasium, dormitories, medical room, cafeteria, and administration office are also planned. There will be dedicated parking for 100 cars and 10 buses, as well as exclusive tracks for walking and cycling.
The GCDA is also taking steps to rehabilitate the 72 vendors currently operating in the old stadium premises, ensuring their relocation before construction begins. The authority is confident that the new sports city will not only provide world-class facilities for athletes and sports enthusiasts but also help reclaim the area from neglect and anti-social elements, restoring its status as a hub of community activity.
While the Kerala Football Association (KFA) has advocated for a dedicated football stadium with a larger capacity, the GCDA’s vision is to create a multi-sport facility that caters to a wide range of disciplines and serves as an academic centre for sports students. The phased approach to construction means that the football stadium is expected to be completed within a year, with other facilities following as additional CSR funds are secured.
Sports lovers and local residents have welcomed the move, seeing it as a much-needed boost for the city’s sporting infrastructure and a model for future projects in Kerala. The challenge now lies in timely execution and maintaining high standards, ensuring that Ambedkar Sports City becomes a true pride of Kochi.
