A decade later, astroturf is still a dream

Promises to provide the hockey grounds with astroturf at the famed Chamundi Vihar Stadium has been made by successive governments and also ministers.

Similar is the fate of the athletic track at the Chamundi Vihar Stadium and indoor stadium.
Also, the stadium hosts the Dasara sports meet every year. The district administration is going all-out to celebrate the 401st Dasara this year with grandeur.

Yet, it has given little thought to the athletes who will descend from all over the country to take part in the prestigious tournaments.

Dasara sports

Even the Dasara sports sub-committees formed every year have done little to improve the facilities at the stadium. They have not bothered for upgrading the stadium.

At present, the Chamundi Vihar Stadium houses the department of youth services and sports (DYSS). The stadium offers space to footballers, hockey players, athletes, basketball players, volleyball players and also morning joggers. The magnificent Chamundi Vihar Stadium has even witnessed the National Games in 1997.

But, much to the chagrin of the players, the facilities have remained the same all through the years.

According to estimates, all it would take to lay a 400 metre synthetic track at the outdoor stadium is Rs 2.94 crore. However, it has continued to remain a distant dream for players and athletes.

Speaking to Deccan Herald, DYSS assistant director Suresh said that administrative approval has been received for floating the tenders with respect to the synthetic track. He said the tenders would be floated within a week.

Pending

He accepted that work has been pending for more than 10 years. Several sports ministers had promised that work would be taken up, but it failed to materialise.

Suresh said that work on the wooden flooring for the indoor stadium has been estimated at Rs 1.05 crore. Laying of the astroturf for the hockey grounds at Rs 3.60 crore is also yet to take off.

Suresh disclosed that Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA) has given a commitment letter of completing the work.

Recently, even during urban development minister Suresh Kumar’s visit to the city, the plight of the stadium was brought before the minister. But,  when this newspaper repeatedly tried to get in touch with MUDA officials associated with the projects to be undertaken at Chamundi Vihar Stadium, they did not bother to pick up telephone calls.