THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Cricket Association has submitted the proposal for the construction of a new cricket stadium in Kochi to the state government. KCA handed over the draft to the Chief Minister at the International Sports Summit held on Tuesday. KCA president Jayesh George informed that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has permitted the site identified for the stadium.

Jayesh George revealed that the ultimate goal is to build a multi-sports city including an international stadium. According to reports, the project may surpass Rs 1500 crore budget. The project outline was submitted to the government under the name of 'Kochi Sports City'.

Some years ago, KCA attempted to build a sports complex in Edakochi but saw the project getting stalled after hitting a roadblock with corruption and environmental issues. And now, it was only after the BCCI’s suggestion that KCA decided to move ahead with the international stadium project. The association also made deals to acquire 60 acres of land for this purpose.

The KCA is moving ahead with the project after receiving an assurance from the government that this land would be converted to be used for stadium construction.

40 acres of land was selected for the stadium, which is near the Nedumbassery airport. The stadium will be built in a way to accommodate 40,000 people. The sports city will have indoor and outdoor training facilities, a special ground for training, a sports academy, a research centre, an eco-park, a water sports park, a sports medicine and fitness centre, an e-sports arena, an entertainment zone, and a clubhouse.