Ranjit Thakur
JAMMU, Jan 14: The badminton courts at the Indoor Sports Complex at MA Stadium, Jammu, are in a state of severe disrepair, raising serious safety concerns among players, parents and officials of the badminton fraternity. Damaged wooden flooring, water leakage from the roof and inadequate infrastructure have rendered the facility unsuitable for regular training. Players warn that continued use of the courts could result in serious injuries, emphasizing the need for urgent remedial measures.
According to players, all three wooden courts inside the hall developed large lumps and uneven patches after floodwater entered the stadium during the major floods that hit Jammu in September last year. The water severely damaged the flooring, and since then the courts have steadily deteriorated. “The courts are no longer safe for play. The uneven surface can easily cause ankle, knee, or back injuries,” a player said.
Veteran badminton player Ramesh Sharma expressed deep anguish over the neglect of the facility. Describing the hall as “pathetic,” he said repeated representations for minor repairs have gone unheeded. “It appears the authorities are waiting for a major accident to happen before waking up,” he remarked. He added that the hall has remained in this unsafe condition for months, depriving hundreds of players of proper training.
Sharma also highlighted the long-standing infrastructure deficit at MA Stadium. Built in 1977 with only three courts, the hall has seen no expansion for nearly five decades. Consequently, Jammu has been unable to host major or national-level tournaments, which require a minimum of eight courts. “This neglect is not just about repairs; it reflects a larger discrimination against Jammu in sports infrastructure development,” he said.
National-level player Gopesh Singh shared the daily struggles faced by competitive players. Practicing on damaged courts has become increasingly difficult, he said, as the lumps worsen over time. “Every day the surface becomes more uneven. It affects our footwork, balance, and confidence,” he said. Gopesh, along with his sister Unnati Jaral-both national-level players-said training conditions at MA Stadium are far below national standards. He also pointed out that the ceiling height of the hall is lower than required and water drips from the roof during rainfall, further disrupting practice. He demanded immediate replacement of the flooring before the hall becomes completely unplayable.
Parents of young players expressed concern for their children’s safety. “We are scared to send our kids there, but we have no choice,” a parent said, noting that the J&K Sports Council has only three courts available in Jammu for regular practice.
An association member said the issue has been formally raised with the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council (JKSC). Demands have been submitted for repairing the flooring, installing additional lighting, and raising the ceiling to improve court height. A Junior Engineer recently inspected the hall, and the Secretary of JKSC assured full support. With over 250 players across all age groups practicing daily, the badminton community hopes repair work begins soon to ensure safe and standard training conditions.
A JKSC official told EXCELSIOR that a Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared for replacement of mats and repair of the damaged flooring. He clarified that complete replacement is not yet planned, and repairs are being proposed at this stage. Tendering will be floated shortly following approvals to make the courts safe and playable.
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