Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 4: Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice Pankaj Mithal and Justice Rajnesh Oswal today disposed of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by former Ranji Player Prof Ashutosh Sharma seeking directions to the UT Government to allow all sports activities in newly renovated Maulana Azad Stadium Jammu with the observations that utilization of sports complex is a policy matter within the domain of the administration and it is up to them to take a decision in this regard in consultation with the expert bodies.
After hearing Advocate Sheikh Shakeel Ahmed for the PIL, the DB observed, “the issues raised by the petitioner have been examined in detail and it has come to light that most of the games in addition to cricket are being practiced in the outer premises of MA Stadium”.
“During the renovation of MA Stadium coaching for other games like athletics has been shifted to Jammu University, Green field Gandhi Nagar and Government Women College, Gandhi Nagar while as coaching and practice for football has been shifted to GGM Science College Ground and Mini Stadium Parade Ground. Similarly, wrestling has been shifted to Jammu University, fencing at Jammu University and Kho-Kho at Green Play Field, Gandhi Nagar and Hockey is being practiced at K K Hakku Astroturf Stadium”, the DB said, adding “due to the renovation/up-gradation of MA Stadium not even a single game has been disturbed and only the MA Stadium ground which was previously used for cricket activities has been upgraded and designed at par with the BCCI norms”.
“This stadium is ready for conducting big tournament without affecting any other sports activities which were being carried on as usual in the outer premises and no sportsperson is being deprived from utilizing MA Stadium”, the DB said, adding “two Synthetic Athletic Tracks are being constructed within Jammu Municipal limits, one at Jammu University and another at Govt Women College Gandhi Nagar and these tracks can take care of the athletics part of the sports”.
With these observations, Division Bench disposed of the PIL.
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