But for the sportspersons here, the ‘saree’ function was but just another nail in the coffin of sports in the city.
For, the function was organised at the city stadium, which hosts more such events than sports for which it is meant, thanks to the apathy of the Sports and Youth Services Department.
For the ‘Bhagyalakshmi’ scheme, the district administration had erected a stage pulling down the goal post at one end of the field. Only a month later were the goal posts reinstalled in a haphazard manner, and the budding footballers in the city are the silent sufferers.
Children from sports hostel run by the department play football everyday here. Irked by the department’s apathy, some of the students submitted a memorandum to the department assistant director to reset the goal posts to enable them to play.
Under pressure, the authorities re-erected the posts using bamboo poles, which collapsed soon. The students suggested that the posts be re-erected by cementing the ground and after one month of chief minister’s visit the authorities concerned have put the posts in place.
Similar non-sports programmes are a regular feature at the district stadium. After the valedictory of NCC camp held recently, the bamboo poles used for the function were left lying on the ground, preventing sportspersons from using the ground.
“As a rule, the ground is not maintained properly. The department concerned that allows other programmes on the ground must also take onus in ensuring the players to use the ground once the programmes are over,” say sportspersons.
Evening strollers complain that the unfenced ground is misused at night by revellers. Liquor bottles are found lying in the stadium, they complain.
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