I.M. Vijayan sports complex inaugurated at Lalur

Lalur in Thrissur, once infamous as a dumping yard, has made history by transforming itself into the site of a world-class sports complex. The first phase of the I.M. Vijayan International Sports Complex, named after the legendary footballer from Thrissur district, was inaugurated on Monday.

Minister of Sports V. Abdurahiman inaugurated the complex. Mayor M.K. Varghese presided over the ceremony. I.M. Vijayan was the chief guest.

Jointly developed by the Thrissur city Corporation and the State Sports department, the complex is being hailed as one of India’s finest sporting facilities. Built on 14 acres of Corporation-owned land, the project was implemented under the supervision of KITCO with financial support from the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). Out of the total administrative sanction of ₹70.56 crore for the project, KIIFB granted ₹56.01 crore.

The first phase of the project features world-class facilities, including an indoor stadium with a seating capacity of 5,000. The 85,318-square-foot structure houses courts for basketball, volleyball, badminton, and handball. It also includes two dormitories, guest rooms, a gym, VIP lounge, medical room, and 53 toilets.

Additional amenities include a FIFA-standard synthetic football turf, ITF-standard acrylic tennis court, and an aquatics complex featuring a 25 m x 12.5 m practice pool, along with a pavilion and administrative block. Water supply is supported by a 45,000-litre overhead tank and an underground reservoir with a capacity of 4,75,000 litres.

Preparations are already under way for the second phase, which will feature a hockey ground and a residential block for athletes and coaches.