Ajay Raina
Udhampur, Apr 17: Lack of vision and ill planning has put the Indoor Sports Complex at district Udhampur in a sorry state
. The much-hyped project to promote games and sports in the district has drawn flak from the sports enthusiasts here.
Official sources told the EXCELSIOR that there was need for space to conduct indoor tournaments for various indoor games which unfortunately could not be conducted due to non availability of indoor sports complex.
After finding the needs of the Indoor complex for promotion of games in district Udhampur, on November 16, 2013 the foundation stone for the Indoor Sports Complex was laid at Subhash Stadium, Udhampur by the then Sports Minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din.
In his speech, the Minister had assured the sportspersons that the complex will be constructed in nine months, they added.
Sources stated that Rs 1.28 crore was sanctioned for the construction of this sports complex with concrete floor to give a fillip to sports activities including Badminton and Table Tennis besides conducting tournaments for indoor games like Wushu, Judo, Gymnastic, Power Lifting, Chess, Carrom, etc.
“The complex missed several deadlines for its completion, which has created anguish among the players, who are forced to practice their games in open grazing grounds”, they added.
Sources further stated that in the year 2014, when Raman Bhalla was Sports Minister, he also visited the site and assured that the complex would be completed by August 2014, but this deadline also failed to yield any result.
After that, the sportspersons started protesting against the J&K State Sports Council and District Administration Udhampur and after that another assurance came from the Engineering Wing of the J&K State Sports Council that the complex will be completed by October 2014, sources said, adding that this time also the deadline fixed for the completion failed to meet.
“Missing of deadlines several times for the construction of complex, has not only forced the players to quit their favourite games, but also ruined their dream to display their talent at National and International levels”, sources added.
“There is no other infrastructure for the players to continue their Indoor games in the discipline of Badminton and Table Tennis”, sources said, adding that there are various talented sportspersons in the district who have represented the State on the national level and brought laurels for the State in general and the district in particular.
This complex would have to cater the needs of thousands of players and could nurture their hidden talent in various games, but its non-completion has created anguish and disappointment among the people in general and players in particularly, sources added.
The sportspersons are continuing their games on their own by paying hefty amount to the outsiders including banquet halls, sources said, adding that due to casual approach of the Sports Council and District Administration, the future of budding sportspersons in the district is running towards darkness, sources added.
“We are playing Table Tennis by paying monthly rent in thousands. The complex was to be constructed for table tennis and badminton players and for the conduct of tournament for indoor games. But it has not been completed, the reason best known to the concerned authorities engaged in the construction of the complex”, a Table Tennis player said on the condition of anonymity.
The Complex will have concrete floor, which may result into injuries to the sportspersons while playing. The floor should be of synthetic and that too of top quality, a badminton player said.
The lighting system should also be of high quality which helps the players to practice their games during late evening hours, he added.
When contacted Minister for Sports, IT and Technical Education, Imran Ansari told the EXCELSIOR, “I will review the status of the Indoor Complex within couple of days after reaching Jammu”.
“We are having clear cut instructions from the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to expedite all the projects related to sports for the upliftment of the games in the State”, he added.
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