* Concrete flooring draws flak
Ajay Raina
JAMMU, May 16: Delay in the completion of the much hyped project of constructing Indoor Sports Complex at Udhampur has created anguish among the sportspersons.
However, the Sports Council has compromised with the safety of the players by constructing concrete floor, which has drawn flak from the sports enthusiasts.
As per official sources, after finding the needs of the Indoor complex for promotion of games in district Udhampur, on November 16, 2013 the foundation stone for the Indoor Sports Complex was laid at Subhash Stadium, Udhampur by the then Sports Minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din.
In his speech, the Minister had assured the sportspersons that the complex will be constructed in nine months, they added.
Sources stated that Rs 1.34 crore was sanctioned for the construction of this sports complex with concrete floor to give a fillip to sports activities including Badminton and Table Tennis besides conducting tournaments for indoor games like Wushu, Judo, Gymnastic, Power Lifting, Chess, Carrom, etc.
“The complex missed several deadlines for its completion, which has created anguish among the players, who are forced to practice their games in open grazing grounds”, sources said, adding that in the year 2014, when Raman Bhalla was Sports Minister, had also visited the site and assured that the complex would be completed by August 2014, but this deadline also failed to yield fruitful results.
The sportspersons started protesting against the J&K State Sports Council and District Administration Udhampur and after that another assurance came from the Engineering Wing of the J&K State Sports Council that the complex will be completed by October 2014, sources said, adding that this time also the deadline fixed for the completion failed to meet.
“Missing of deadlines several times for the construction of complex, has not only forced the players to quit their favourite games, but also ruined their dreams to display their talent at National and International levels”, sources added.
Sources stated that the construction work of the complex is going on at snails pace due to non-availability of funds, adding that the sportspersons also took up the matter with the local MLA, but nothing has been done.
“Lighting and flooring should be of best quality at any Indoor complex but Sports Council compromised with concrete flooring, which may lead to serious injuries to the players”, sources said, adding that sportspersons are practicing their games on their own by paying hefty amount to the outsiders including banquet halls.
Sports Council have made concrete floor which reflects the casual approach of Council, a Table Tennis player said on the condition of anonymity.
He said that the floor should be of wooden or synthetic and of best quality, as concrete floor can lead to injuries to players, adding that the complex should be completed at the earliest as there is no other infrastructure for the players to continue their Indoor games in the disciplines of Badminton and Table Tennis.
Despite remaining in Ministry, the local MLA failed to take necessary steps for the early completion of the Indoor Sports Complex, he said, adding that local MLA and Sports Minister befooled the players by making false statements of completing the Complex at the earliest.
There are various talented sportspersons in the district who have represented the State on the national level and brought laurels for the State in general and the district in particular, he said, adding that this complex will have to cater the needs of thousands of players and could nurture their hidden talent in various games.
“We are playing Table Tennis by paying monthly rent in thousands. The complex was to be constructed for table tennis and badminton players and for the conduct of tournament for indoor games. But it has not been completed, the reason best known to the concerned authorities engaged in the construction of the complex”, a Badminton player said.
The Complex will have concrete floor, which may result into injuries to the sportspersons while playing. The floor should be of synthetic and that too of top quality, he said, adding that lighting system should also be of high quality which helped the players to practice their games during late evening hours.
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