Ahmedabad: The Gujarat International Finance-Tec City (GIFT City) in Gandhinagar, which houses the country’s first International Financial Services Centre (IFSC), employing nearly 27,000 people, has announced the setting up of a sports arena, a golf club and a mall within the Domestic Tariff Area (DTA) of GIFT-IFSC.According to GIFT City officials, key projects include an 84,744 sq ft golf entertainment facility, which will feature a 350-ft technology-enabled driving range, 20 golf bays, coaching facilities and spaces for corporate networking and community events. The facility is expected to become operational in Jan 2027. The golf facility will offer features such as real-time shot analytics, performance monitoring, digital scorekeeping, video playback and virtual golf simulations.Further expanding its social infrastructure plans, GIFT City has floated a request for proposal (RFP) for a mall envisaged as a mixed-use retail, entertainment and lifestyle hub. The project has a minimum development potential of around 750,000 sq ft and is expected to house premium retail outlets, domestic and international food and beverage offerings, entertainment zones, family recreation facilities and cinema experiences.GIFT City MD and Group CEO, Sanjay Kaul, said, “The development of sports, recreation, leisure and lifestyle infrastructure is aimed at building a holistic urban ecosystem capable of attracting and retaining global talent. Access to world-class amenities would further strengthen GIFT City’s position as a globally competitive destination to live, work and thrive.”Parallely, GIFT City is also developing a multi-sport arena that is expected to be operational by Sep. It will include infrastructure for box cricket, football, pickleball, baseball practice and golf-related activities.Jaxay Shah, CMD of Savvy Group, said, “The arena would feature eight pickleball courts, two padel courts, box football and box cricket facilities, a volleyball court, jogging track, outdoor gym and social spaces including a cafe and event venue.”
