For over a year, the sports community in Dragbal, Baramulla, has faced significant distress as the Iqbal Stadium, a crucial hub for local sports, remains unplayable due to protracted and mismanaged restoration work. Restoration work commenced in May last year, promising to enhance the playing conditions by addressing earthfilling and outfield levelling. However, what was intended to be a brief project has extended well beyond its deadline, leaving the stadium in a worse state than before. The field now resembles an agricultural plot rather than a sports ground, compelling players to seek alternatives far from their locality. This displacement not only disrupts their regular practice routines but also undermines the community spirit cultivated around local sports. The persistent delays and the substandard quality of work have sparked widespread frustration among residents. Promises of completion by March, and subsequently April, have been broken, leading to a growing sense of disillusionment.
The stadium’s dilapidated state is more than an inconvenience; it is a blow to the community’s social fabric. The ground serves ten villages, acting as a sanctuary for youth against the growing menace of drug abuse and other negative influences. By providing a constructive outlet through sports, the stadium plays a pivotal role in channelling the energy of young individuals towards positive endeavours. The administration’s neglect has stripped the youth of this vital resource, potentially exacerbating social issues in the region. Residents have rightfully appealed to the Lieutenant Governor to address this pressing issue. The Government’s emphasis on sports and youth engagement must translate into tangible actions, ensuring that projects are completed on time and to standard. There is a pressing need for stringent oversight and swift corrective measures to restore the community’s faith in public initiatives. The youth of Baramulla deserve their playing field back, and it is high time their voices are heard and acted upon.
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