Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 15: The Indoor Sports Stadium at Khawaja Bagh area in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district lies in a state of neglect, drawing sharp criticism from locals and athletes who blame poor maintenance for the deteriorating condition of the facility.
From broken washrooms and damaged walls to crumbling infrastructure, the stadium-once envisioned as a hub for indoor sports in north Kashmir-is now struggling to serve its intended purpose. “The condition of the washrooms and halls is disrespectful to all of us. I urge the administration to take this seriously,” said a local athlete, voicing frustration over the facility’s poor state.
Residents say the stadium is used daily by hundreds of children who train in various indoor sports, but the unhygienic and unsafe conditions are discouraging participation.
Showkat Ahmad Shah, manager of the J&K Sports Council in Baramulla, acknowledged the concerns and assured that repair work has been initiated. “We have taken up the issue with the concerned executive engineer for the repair of washrooms and walls,” Shah said. He added, “We want the work to be done without disturbing the practice of players. The stadium was also used as a COVID care centre, which added to the wear and tear.”
Locals have urged the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council to carry out immediate renovation work and ensure that young talent is nurtured in a clean, safe, and well-maintained environment. “If authorities continue to ignore this, it will demotivate budding players and damage the region’s sports culture,” said another resident.
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