Dwarka, the emerging sports hub in the national capital

Delhi’s South West district will be a major sports hub in near future, going by the number of sports complexes that are coming up through the initiative of the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) in this part of the Capital.

Dwarka’s 18-hole golf course, designed by Pacific Coast Design, an Australian company, will be the longest public golf course in India. 

“The Dwarka Golf Course will have world class facilities and has been designed to conduct international tournaments,” Phil Ryan, one of the architects with Pacific Coast Design, told Patriot over phone from Melbourne. 

Paul Reeves, a known golf course architect, is also part of the Pacific Coast Design team that has its office in Pune, Maharashtra. Reeves had visited the facility earlier this month.

The Dwarka Golf Course, with its two-tier driving range, should be open to public at the end of this year, while the nine-hole course should be operational from June, Ryan added.

Other important sports facilities that are under construction in Dwarka and will be a big advantage to local talent when fully operational are the sports complexes in Sector 8 and Sector 19. 

The Sector 8 DDA Sports Complex will have a Centre of Excellence for wrestling, weightlifting, boxing, judo, and kabaddi. 

A Centre of Excellence in tennis and shooting will be the main feature of the Sector 19 DDA Sports Complex. 

The shooting ranges will have modern facilities for both 10-metre air weapon and 25-metre small bore events, including rapid fire pistol. 

For the record, India’s Vijay Kumar won silver medal in 25m rapid fire at the 2012 London Olympic Games, while pistol prodigy Anish Bhanwala based out of Faridabad, Haryana, has earned a quota place in the men’s 25m rapid fire for the Paris Olympic Games.

Sports complexes in Dwarka’s Sector 17 and Sector 10 are also there and have facilities for different sports, including badminton and skating.

There are a couple of 10m air weapon ranges in Dwarka, but small-bore ranges will be first of its kind, said Chaya Adak, a former national level shooter and coach. 

“The small-bore ranges will be a big advantage for shooters as several of them have to travel long distances to Dr Karni Singh Shooting Ranges for practice,” Chaya added.

The DDA Sports Complex in sector 23 will have a Centre of Excellence in football and hockey.

Delhi’s 2001 Master Plan laid emphasis on the development of sports facilities for all age groups and within the reach of all sections of the society, the DDA said on its website.  

“Hence DDA has developed various sports complexes including multi-gym all over the Capital,” the DDA website further added.

Golf courses

DDA runs golf courses in Lado Sarai and Bhalswa, but Dwarka Golf Course is arguably the best as it will have all the modern facilities, including car parking, said Ryan.

“Although India has a few public golf courses, the Dwarka Golf Course is by far the largest and first true championship facility to be built for public use,” Ryan added. 

DDA has 18-hole golf courses in Bhalswa and Lado Sarai. Both the courses have driving ranges too. There is a driving range and mini golf course at Siri Fort Sports Complex too.

The Qutab Golf Course at Lado Sarai was the first in the country for the public. The Bhalswa Golf Course has been developed keeping in view public interest. Both the courses have pay and play schemes.

Besides practice facilities, the Qutab Golf Course has been put to use for amateur tournaments, including Admiral’s Cup of the Indian Navy and the CAG’s Cup.

Key features

The 18-hole course at Dwarka’s Sector 24 has been designed to attract professional as well as casual golfers. 

“The Dwarka’s par 72 course which is 7,366 yards in length is the longest golf course in India,” Ryan disclosed. “A full-size dual level driving range that includes a six-hole pitch and putt course as well as a large clubhouse will be India’s first exposure to quality pay to play facilities.” 

According to the Australian golf course architect, work at the Dwarka course started in 2021 and the nine holes are expected to open mid-June this year. 

“The project includes bunkers constructed using capillary concrete, and is watered by a treated effluent water system (treatment plant onsite) that recycles water from the nearby Najafgarh Nulla,” Ryan said. “A full cart path system and electric golf carts is another key feature of Dwarka course.” 

Cost of maintenance

Setting up a world-class modern sports facility will surely be a big advantage for school and college going students in South West Delhi, but maintenance would be a big issue.  

“The 18-hole golf course in Dwarka is one of the best in the region. We expect it to be busy throughout the year when fully operational from next year,” a DDA official said. “The nine-hole [course] is complete, the remaining nine holes are still under construction.” 

Revenue generated from the clubhouse and membership fee will be key to maintaining the infrastructure.  

“The sports complexes are membership oriented. There are different types of membership available to the public. There is also the option of ‘pay and play’ scheme. The maintenance of the complexes is essentially from member’s monthly subscription,” added the DDA website.

There are rules and regulations for the sports complexes and membership is approved by a Screening Committee nominated for each complex.

Focus of sports complex

The main purpose of a DDA sports complex, as mentioned on its website, is “to provide a recreational and healthy environment to the citizens of Delhi”.

“To promote various sports not easily accessible to the general public and ensure mass participation in sports activities,” the DDA website added.

According to Mahavir Prasad Bishnoi, Dronacharya Awardee in wrestling, a good facility for wrestling in Dwarka will be advantageous to those who have to travel to training centres. 

“There is one training centre in village Pochanpur adjoining Sector 23 but that doesn’t have a good facility,” the Dwarka based wrestling coach told Patriot. 

“The new Centre of Excellence in wrestling will certainly attract more youngsters of the region to use the mat.”

Shaji Prabhakaran, former general secretary of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) said that a good facility for football in Dwarka will certainly help local talent polish their skills. 

“Primarily, modern facilities and a good coaching system will build a solid grassroots foundation in the city,” Shaji added.