Chandigarh: The Chandigarh administration has proposed a comprehensive upgrade of the Sector 7 athletics track in preparation for the Asian Relays Championship, scheduled to be held in the city in June 2027. The estimated project cost is between Rs 10 crore and Rs 12 crore, officials said.The championship will bring together relay teams from across Asia in men’s, women’s and mixed relay events, including 4x100m and 4x400m races. Alongside the Asian Relays, national championships will also be conducted. The proposed revamp aims to bring the venue up to international standards, with the construction of a facility housing 29 functional rooms required to host a continental athletics event.According to the proposed layout, the facility will include a reception room, transportation control rooms, team lounge, changing rooms and ice bath facilities, besides key operational and athlete-support facilities such as a technical meeting room, athletes’ gym, medical rooms, equipment storage room, first call room, video room, VIP lounge, operations management room, medical service station, meeting room, announcers’ room, commentators’ studio, mixed zone, waiting room for medal ceremonies and a victory ceremony area.The infrastructure upgrade will also expand seating capacity. The administration plans to increase seating from the existing 750 to more than 3,500 with the construction of new stands, while retaining the existing steps. Installation of world-class 2,000-lux floodlights has started. This is a major improvement on the existing 500 lux lights.Other proposed works include new changing rooms for athletes, installation of canopies over both the existing and newly-constructed spectator stands, construction of four entry gates with security check posts, and installation of a security grill over the existing boundary wall.Preparations gathered momentum after the UT sports director travelled to China to formally receive the hosting flag, marking the handover of the Asian Relays Championship to India for the 2027 edition. The flag was presented to UT administrator Gulab Chand Kataria on June 26.Director, competitions, Athletics Federation of India, Ravinder Chaudhry, said Chandigarh would be among only three Indian cities hosting major international athletics events over the next four years. While Chandigarh will stage the Asian Relays Championships in 2027, Bhubaneswar will host the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships and the World Indoor Athletics Championships, and Ahmedabad has bid to host the World Under-20 Championships in 2028 and the World Athletics Championships in 2031.He added that the Asian Relays Championships will carry added significance as performances and points earned at the event would contribute towards qualification for the upcoming world championships. Chaudhry said Chandigarh secured hosting rights after competing with Saudi Arabia. According to him, the city was selected because of its favourable weather, green environment, proven ability to organise national athletics events and its recent successful hosting of an invitational international athletics meet.Box- Warm-up track plannedOfficials said the administration plans to develop a separate athletics track that will serve as a warm-up facility for athletes during the Asian Relays championships. The location for the new track is yet to be finalised and is expected to be decided in the days to come.Box- Eyes on Asian Roller Skating C’shipChandigarh has also submitted its bid to host the Asian Roller Skating Championship, scheduled for Nov 2027. As part of preparations, the administration plans to develop dedicated facilities for speed skating, roller hockey, inline hockey and artistic skating at the Manimajra Sports Complex, expanding the existing infrastructure. The city already has dedicated rinks for skateboarding and inline freestyle events.What’s on the cardsRs 10-12 crore upgrade proposed for Sector 7 athletics track ahead of Asian Relays Championship 202729-room international-standard facility planned with athlete, technical and media support infrastructureSeating capacity to rise from 750 to over 3,500 spectators2,000-lux floodlights being installed, replacing existing 500-lux systemSeparate warm-up track proposed for participating athletesChandigarh won hosting rights for the 2027 Asian Relays after competing with Saudi ArabiaAsian Roller Skating Championship 2027 bid also submitted by the UT administration
