Sportspersons left in the lurch
*Ready Indoor Complex awaits inauguration
Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, June 28: Requisite sports paraphernalia is the basis of exploring talent at the grass-root level. However, expecting good performances from the talented sportspersons of the State in absence of standard infrastructural facilities is to flog a dead horse. The quality players’ need quality facilities to perform better.
This was stated by a veteran sportsperson from Udhampur while expressing anguish over the incompletion of the multi-crore project at Subash Stadium Udhampur and at the same time happiness over the completion of the Indoor Complex at the same venue, the construction work of which was delayed in successive State Governments and could only be completed under the Governor’s Administration.
Subash Stadium Udhampur is the historical sports complex in this region of the State, which had an honour of hosting prestigious Ranji Trophy matches in its picturesque arena up to early 90s.
It is pertinent to mention here that around 9 years back, the State Government had sanctioned a project of over Rs 7 crores for establishing a central pavilion alongwith a torch house, an indoor hall, spectators stand, besides underground irrigation system, turf wicket, besides a basketball court at its periphery and a swimming pool in its mammoth arena.
However, after the construction works to the tune of around Rs 80 lakhs on its central pavilion, the work was stopped in the mid-way, and was re-started but only around 40 to 45 percent of the project has been completed till date.
This sporting asset, which otherwise should have been catering to the needs of thousands of sportspersons is badly crying for the completion of its development and renovation.
Sources said that the Indoor Complex which is ready at the venue is waiting for its inauguration, adding that Governor Satya Pal Malik was scheduled to inaugurate the Complex on June 11, 2019, but due to some reasons the inauguration of the Complex could not take place on that day.
“We have been left in the lurch as we are not in a position to have practice sessions, not to talk of honing or fine-tuning our skills, because the Indoor Complex is yet to be inaugurated. We haven’t any other place to practice. So, we humbly request to our Governor and his Advisors to open the facility as soon as possible. Otherwise, we may be forced to quit our favourite game,” said budding Table Tennis players on the delay of the Complex’s inauguration.
Sources said that the Government had sanctioned Rs 7 crores for the development of this Stadium, way back in 2009-10, adding that the work was to be initiated in a phased manner and an amount of Rs 1.50 crores was released in the first phase.
“The construction work was inaugurated by the then Minister for Sports, RS Chib, way back on November 14, 2010 in presence of MLA Udhampur, Balwant Singh Mankotia”.
Sources added that the construction work of the pavilion was stopped only after the stairs installed in the pavilion had collapsed either because of some technical errors or due to the usage of sub-standard material.
“Now, over 9 years have passed and only around 40 percent of the project is complete, except the construction of multi-purpose indoor hall, which was inaugurated by the then Minister for Sports, Taj-Mohi-ud-Din but not under this project,” informed the sources.
“It is shameful to see the sports arena, which, otherwise, possesses almost all that is required to make it a First-Class facility, in a bad condition. The completion of the developmental work at the Stadium is the need of the hour,” said a sports enthusiast.
Experts believe that the Stadium has such a big ground, which, if properly developed and maintained is fit to organize major games like cricket, football, hockey, apart from other games like basketball, volleyball, kabaddi, kho-kho etc, not to talk of indoor games.
Government needs to make a team of experts and architects to help the concerned authorities complete the pending project and fulfil the dream of the thousands of sportspersons and cater to the needs of the talented players in various games and sports.
“The underground irrigation system or you may call it sprinkle water system, will make the ground lush green and the turfing of the wicket at the centre will add to its colour. The completion of the incomplete construction work at the centre pavilion, the replica of which is analogous to that of BCCI’s Mohali Stadium, apart from beautifying the ground will prove to be an asset for the players as also for the spectators,” expressed a retired Officer of the Sports Department.
The officer added that the swimming pool and an indoor hall, which are the part of the project and an electricity system including a reservoir, will make the Stadium a complete package.
The State Government, which is committed to promote sports in every nook and corner of the State under Governor’s Administration, should serve directions to the authorities regarding construction work at the Stadium and completion of the project, to improve the standard of sports in the State.
Keeping faith in the Governor’s Administration, group of sportspersons from Udhampur said that various sports projects have been initiated and completed during his tenure and hoped for the completion of the remaining project at Subash Stadium and the inauguration of the Indoor Complex at an earliest.
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