All India Congress  Committee President Sonia Gandhi’s visit to Mandya on September 30 has thrown Dasara sports schedule out of gear, disappointing sports teams, and leaving the organisers fretting.

Mysore divisional-level Dasara sports that was to be held at Sir M Visvesvaraya Stadium from September 26 to 28 has been shifted to accommodate Gandhi, who will be in the district on Monday.

According to latest reports, the inauguration will be held as planned on September 26 and the place will be cleared to make arrangements to welcome Sonia Gandhi, who is on a thanksgiving visit for the party’s victory in the recent elections.

The Congress party will also make use of the opportunity for a show of strength, with more than two lakh party workers converging in the district.

Works for erection of a huge dais has begun from Friday morning, duly inspected by various Congress leaders.

Assistant Director of Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports Dr H P Manjula said that plans had been made to hold Football and Kabaddi tournament in the stadium.
But, the stadium had to be spared to make space for Sonia’s programme.

The stadium has been let out on rent for the programme on September 30 and since preparations for the programme has to begin earlier, the sports meet has been shifted to another place.

The Kabaddi tournament will be now held at PES college grounds and Football at government First Grade college grounds, she said.

The stadium was prepared to host the national-level Kabaddi tournament eight months ago. Now, the teams will be deprived to play in the grounds due to the political convention.

However, Basketball, Kho Kho and Throwball will not be affected as it is held outside the stadium. Ball Badminton, Table Tennis, Shuttle badminton games will be held at a stadium belonging to a private organisation, she said.

This has disappointed a few sportspersons, who opined that the stadiums should be used only for sports related activities and not let out for political programmes.