HC notice to govt over use of athletics field at Kanteerava stadium for football

The High Court of Karnataka on Monday issued a notice to the state government over a petition seeking removal of barricades and blocks put on the synthetic track and field at the Kanteerava stadium.

Arjuna awardee Ashwini Nachappa, along 49 other athletes and athletic coaches, has filed a public interest litigation (PIL), seeking directions to remove the barricades and blocks put up by JSW Bangalore Football Club, that is causing problems for the athletes to train.

A division bench of acting Chief Justice H G Ramesh and Justice P S Dinesh Kumar was hearing a petition filed by the athletes.

According to the petitioners, the 400-metre synthetic track and field of the Kanteerava stadium had been constructed solely for the purpose of athletic games and was meant for the use of the athletes for practice sessions.

The petition says JSW Bangalore Football Club Pvt Ltd has entered into an agreement with the commissioner, director of youth empowerment and sports, to promote the football matches of FIFA under-17 Football World Cup.

In spite of the existence of the Karnataka State Football Association Stadium, which is meant only for football activities, the JSW Club was using the said track and field for football games under the guise of promotional activities for the FIFA under-17 Football World Cup.

The athletes are not able to use the track and field for their athletic practices and all their representations to the authorities concerned in this regard had fallen on deaf ears.

According to the petitioners, the field meant for athletics practice had been illegally given away to a private establishment under the pretext of the world cup.

The petitioners have said that playing football in this field has caused damage to the synthetic track and field meant for athletic activities.