Kerala budget: VD Satheesan announces world-class football stadium in Malabar region

Thiruvananthapuram: A world-class football stadium is to be constructed in the football-centric Malabar region to scout local talent and host international fixtures, Chief Minister VD Satheesan announced during his budget address on Friday.

The state government has allocated an initial ₹50 crore for the project, which aims to deliver a state-of-the-art sporting facility equipped with modern infrastructure.

The stadium is part of a broader fiscal package for sports and youth affairs, which has received a total budgetary allocation of ₹173.77 crore. As part of this funding, the government will also launch a comprehensive scheme to fully renovate and modernise playing fields across college campuses statewide.

Also read: Kerala budget 2026-27: State set to be transformed into major Asian aviation logistics hub 
'Mission 2036'

With a long-term vision to elevate local athletes to the global stage, the Chief Minister stressed on "Mission 2036".

The targeted sports development initiative is specifically designed to identify, nurture, and train athletes capable of competing at the 2036 Olympic Games.

The strategy underscores the administration's shift towards structured, grassroots development in both team sports and individual athletic disciplines over the next decade.