*Kehli Mandi ground converted into parking lot
Ajay Raina
JAMMU, July 6: Notwithstanding the claims of State Government regarding promotion of sports infrastructure in the State, the Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) has failed to construct even a single playfield in the Samba district.
“The lone play field in the district popularly known as “Kehli Mandi Ground” which was catering to the needs of thousands of sports enthusiasts has been turned into parking lot at present, thus restricting the sports enthusiasts to polish their skills in their desired games”, Official sources told the EXCELSIOR.
“DYSS—which is responsible for promotion of games at zone, tehsil and district levels has not taken any measure to construct play fields for the sports enthusiasts in the Samba district and till date not even a single ground has been constructed by it for players”, sources added.
Sources said the role of DYSS has been total dismal and instead of taking sincere steps to arrange play fields, it has become a mute spectator, thus leading to demotion of sports in the district, sources said.
“Various times, sportspersons of the area projected this issue before senior officials of DYSS with a hope that the Department would take some measures to construct play fields. But the apathetic approach of the officers of DYSS at the helm of affairs failed to take necessary action, thus disappointing the players”, sources added.
“The Kehli Mandi ground caters to the needs of hundreds of sportsmen in the district, but now-a-days the ground has been encroached by the private and commercial vehicles owners”, a cricketer said.
“No one from the DYSS has come forward to arrange additional play field for the youth, which reflects casual approach of the department towards the promotion of sports in the Samba district”, he added.
“If no action will be taken against the encroachers at the earliest, then in the time to come the players would have to part their ways from sports”, he said, adding that presently the players practice their desired games on roads, streets or on grazing fields, which can prove harmful for their lives in one or other way.
“DYSS should take immediate measures to establish play field otherwise the players can’t practice their desired games and could not exhibit their talent at national and international levels to make Jammu and Kashmir especially Samba district proud”, Subash Singh, parent of a Volleyball player said.
When contacted Deputy Director, Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) Rishi Kumar confirmed that the department is not having its own playfield in the district.
“Under Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan Yojna (RGKAY), the Department is in process to identify the land”, he said and asserted that in the time to come grounds will be constructed for the promotion of sports.
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