According to Stuff “ The Sikh community in New Zealand has added another feather to its cap with the opening of a new multi-million dollar sports complex in South Auckland.
And the facilities of the New Zealand Sikh Sports Complex, situated just behind the Gurdwara (Sikh temple) in Takanini are available for all to use, and not just members of the Sikh faith.
The world class complex, spread over 2.3 hectares (5.6 acres), was opened on Sunday by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and attended by National leader Judith Collins, Auckland mayor Phil Goff, several government and opposition MPs, plus 25,000 crowd. As Ardern pointed out, the Sikh community, led by the Supreme Sikh Society New Zealand, was already known and admired for its service to the wider New Zealand community, especially during the Covid lockdowns. "Through the last year, everyone has been hit so hard, the pandemic and its effect on the world have equally been felt here in New Zealand, but in different ways," Ardern said. "The role that you have played as a community has been immense.
"When I first saw images of the work that was being done to provide food to the wider members of the Auckland community, and feeling like what I was seeing from the Sikh community was the team of five million in action.
"It warmed my heart so much. I want you to know I saw it, it moved me and it moved New Zealand." For its efforts, the society was honoured with the 2020 New Zealand Food Hero Award not too long ago, and Ardern praised the community's work.
"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking care of everyone around you."
Ardern said the project would serve to "connect and engage" even more people in Auckland and around New Zealand. "You had a dream to build a facility that promoted sports, that promoted wellbeing among all of the community, but also to create a space to break down barriers and bring people together," Ardern said.
"And you have achieved that incredible vision.
"Today we're here opening seven international level fields and turfs that will allow people from all over Tamaki Makaurau, and all over Aotearoa New Zealand to be able to connect and engage in sport." And because the facility features two water bores with treatment plants, the society has invited New Zealand Police to wash their vehicles at the complex while Auckland water restrictions are in place.
Supreme Sikh Society president Daljit Singh said the complex featured Fifa approved soccer field one could play hockey on as well.
"It also has basketball, netball and volleyball courts, four running tracks, two cricket pitches, kabaddi ground equipped with floodlights, in-built sound system, plus 200 car parks reserved for sports out of a total car of over 450, 10-metre high mesh fence, and two water bores with treatment plants." Singh said work was expected to start soon on a 2000-plus seat grandstand.
"This complex is registered as a separate entity and will be open to use for everyone," Singh said.
"Many have already started to approach us for the use of the facilities."
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