Mumbai: Kamgar bhavan gets (ar)cheery

Swimming trophies bask by the pool at the Kamgar Krida Bhavan, which has one of the few Olympic-sized pools in the city

The throbbing centre of the sporting community in the Parel-Prabhadevi area and the lifeline of budding athletes, the Maharashtra Kamgar Krida Bhavan has been greenlighted for a revamp after decades. The Maharashtra Labour Welfare Board has plans to elevate the existing facilities to global standards, and also add support for other disciplines.

The 70-year-old complex already nurtures kickboxing, badminton, table tennis, swimming and artistic gymnastics by providing coaching and membership at competitive fees. And now, there will be facilities for rifle shooting and archery. The range for both Olympic sports will be ready within a few weeks for competition, and coaching will commence soon after.

Established in July 1953, the club supports sports coaching at the grassroot level. "Coaches and administrators lived and breathed local sport, never mind that there was hardly any money or fame. They would coach their wards for hours under the harsh sun," says water polo player Pradeep Divgikar, who competed in water polo in the 1970s and 1980s. He was also an administrator.

An archery tournament in progress. Pics/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

"Even then, it was evident that Kamgar was more than just a swimming pool or a stadium. I remember all the practice sessions and competitions at the pool, and witnessed the Mafatlal football team playing there. The shouts of gooooaaal... the orders of swimming and water polo coaches as the trainees took to the water. The kabaddi teams coming in to train… the place was such a vibrant thread weaved into the sporting fabric of Mumbai."

Most importantly, Kamgar had one of the few Olympic-sized (50 mt) pools in the city. "When the Mahatma Gandhi pool at Shivaji Park was closed or inaccessible, we'd practise at Kamgar," says Divgikar. "That was the understanding and generosity of coaches and administrators, the sharing of facilities. This is the spirit we need for grassroots sport." While sports took precedence, Kamgar also was a venue for cultural programmes, bank annual days, and other celebrations. "Earthy, gritty and very solid, sans snob value, Kamgar was a community space in every sense of the word," he adds.

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The sports club, which recently drew flak for its decay, especially the lush growth of fungus in the swimming pool, was shut during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We were afraid that the comatose Kamgar may not wake up," adds Divgikar, "Or would lie derelict till some sharks, not those who fancy its pool water but the land it stands on, may take over. The facelift is certainly heartening."

A new library with computers has been added to the sports complex

An official from the Board said that the sports activities were about to be shut down due to low footfall. "But the sporting revival in 2021 increased the number of members, and the decision was made to renovate the complex and give it a new avatar," said the official.

The complex is spread over four acres, and serves as a meridian between homely Dadar and corporate Lower Parel. It comprises two buildings - three stories and seven stories - and a ground. It's the seven-storey building that's marked for a facelift: The basement will house a 15-person shooting range for competitions, as well as a dojo for kickboxing. Its ground floor will have an 80-metre range for archery, and a library with computers that can take in at least 147 students.

The first floor in the three-storey building will be dedicated to badminton; the second floor dedicated to table tennis will also house an art gallery. The embarrassing and unhygienic swimming pool is also under renovation. A space has also also allocated for a nursery and sewing classes.

But the jewels in the crown are the archery and shooting ranges. "Couple of years ago, on our foundation day," recalls Raviraj Ilawe, the Board's Welfare Commissioner, "The then commissioner Rajiv Nitwale called a meeting with different representatives from both sports, and decided to have dedicated ranges here." The District Planning Committee released the funds required, and the ranges came up in March.

"We are the first government body to have a dedicated 80-meter space for archery," Ilawe says with pride, "the ground has high mast lights, safety shield and a shed. On October 14, it hosted its first division-level competition in which at least 200 archers participated."

Pradeep Divgikar

The rifle shooting range proved to be a bit more of a hassle. "We struggled to find the appropriate space [finally settling on the basement]," he says. "The problem is that rainwater accumulates during monsoon. However, we consulted experts and built channels that will route the water to a tank. We even hosted a competition a few months ago, and trials are underway. Soon it will be thrown open to the public." The increased interest in the sport paved the way for the addition of one more badminton court.

Parents of sporty children are elated. "My daughter, Twisha, plays archery here," says Laxman Palkar. "She was happy to experience a different sport; coach Mayuresh Deshmukh guided her very well. Both my children have begun practising archery." "The complex is very accessible with a functioning washroom," says Dr Jui Sindhe, whose 12-year-old son Rian Patil participated in the district-level tournament for archery. Table tennis enthusiast Premal Dharoal is happy to be able to practise without a partner.

"I have been playing here for four to five years now," he says, "And they have robots [as opponents]. Only posh clubs have such technology." Twenty-two-year-old Siddhesh Raut has been a regular for over 10 years. "The badminton court was good, but the other facilities needed renovation," he says. "I started my badminton journey from this court," says 18-year-old Piyush Kamble. "The coaches here are good and helpful. I can't wait to practise on our new court. I hope it happens soon."

The krida bhavan has always been a beacon of light, back to the time when the area was a mill district, before it changed to sky-walled buildings and banking suits. "Where could the very middle-class person go and swim in those days?" says Divgikar. "At pools such as the one at Kamgar, which had affordable fees. Even today, though the area has transformed, there's a significant demographic of former mill workers' families. Our Asian Games medallists show that the talent pool is large, and champions can come from any strata. It is important that we have such facilities."

What's new

>> Archery range
>> Riffle range
>> New badminton court
>> Renovated swimming pool
>> Library with computers
>> Art gallery
>> Sewing classes
>> Nursery
>> Kickboxing dojo