Abid Khan
Srinagar, Jan 25: Bakshi Stadium and Sheri Kashmir Indoor Stadium, the two main venues of Srinagar where hundreds of players practice daily have been closed for sports activities ahead of January 26 Republic Day celebrations.
On every January 26 and August 15, the stadiums are kept out of bound for players due to “security” reasons as parades for Republic Day and Independence Day functions are held here. Players of games like athletics, volleyball, thang-ta, judo, badminton and other martial arts practice daily and prepare themselves for different state and national events. From January 15, the players have been barred by security officials from entering inside.“I’ve been practicing in Bakshi Stadium for last three years and this problem happens every time on Aug 15 and Jan 26. It affects our preparations and takes toll at national championships. ” Said, Ubaid Shah, an athlete.“Bakshi Stadium athletic track is the only place available for athletes to practice in Valley, but vehicles parked by security forces during Independence and Republic day parades damage it and makes it injury prone. We are helpless and don’t know whom to contact,” he added. Officially the stadiums have been closed for players and coaches from January 20, but players were barred from entering into stadiums from January 5. Sports Council officials and coaches have been asked by security forces to stop training these days and convey students to come after January 26.“CRPF personnel asked us to stop training students till January 26 and from January 15 our students have not been allowed to enter into Indoor Stadium for practice despite having valid entry passes issued by Sports Council,” Sports Council instructor told Greater Kashmir.Due to heavy security presence outside the stadiums parents stop their children from going to practice due to fear.“I have stopped my son from going to the stadium to practices martial art and I’ll allow him only after January 26 as I don’t want to put his life on risk,” said Arshid Ahmad of Jawahar Nagar.
Sports fraternity have strongly reacted to the seizure of stadiums by the security forces in the wake of India’s Republic day.
General Secretary of J&K Sports Development, Riyaz Ahmad termed it unfortunate thing , which has been happening from last more than 20 years.
He said, “ It is not first time that stadiums have been kept out of bounds for the players of valley, it has been going on from last more than 20 years. It is unfortunate for the sports fraternity of valley that players are barred from practicing for about two months every year on the occasions of independence and republic day”. “Already due to harsh winter our players cannot practice regularly.”
He said that how could we expect medals from our players at national and international level when they aren’t able to practice regularly.
Another former athlete Mukhtar said that Government does not have sports high on its agenda and they don’t care about the up-liftment of sports.
He said, “Every political party which comes into power say that they have got sports high on its agenda but their slogans and assurances turn out as mere hoax as they don’t even care about it”. “The importance of the sports can be judged by the fact that new NC-Congress government doesn’t have as yet sports minister in its ministry.’
Joint Secretary Sports Council, Abdur Rouf said, “We have officially stopped our activities in the Bakshi Stadium from January 20 in the wake of upcoming Republic day celebrations. During these days only essential staff like electricians, ground staff and mangers will work there.”
About the deterioration of field that happens to due to these functions and the vehicles used in it he said, “The celebration and the vehicles used into parade really deteriorate the field turf and the athletic track around it. We are helpless, as we cannot due anything about it.”
On every January 26 and August 15, the stadiums are kept out of bound for players due to “security” reasons as parades for Republic Day and Independence Day functions are held here. Players of games like athletics, volleyball, thang-ta, judo, badminton and other martial arts practice daily and prepare themselves for different state and national events. From January 15, the players have been barred by security officials from entering inside.“I’ve been practicing in Bakshi Stadium for last three years and this problem happens every time on Aug 15 and Jan 26. It affects our preparations and takes toll at national championships. ” Said, Ubaid Shah, an athlete.“Bakshi Stadium athletic track is the only place available for athletes to practice in Valley, but vehicles parked by security forces during Independence and Republic day parades damage it and makes it injury prone. We are helpless and don’t know whom to contact,” he added. Officially the stadiums have been closed for players and coaches from January 20, but players were barred from entering into stadiums from January 5. Sports Council officials and coaches have been asked by security forces to stop training these days and convey students to come after January 26.“CRPF personnel asked us to stop training students till January 26 and from January 15 our students have not been allowed to enter into Indoor Stadium for practice despite having valid entry passes issued by Sports Council,” Sports Council instructor told Greater Kashmir.Due to heavy security presence outside the stadiums parents stop their children from going to practice due to fear.“I have stopped my son from going to the stadium to practices martial art and I’ll allow him only after January 26 as I don’t want to put his life on risk,” said Arshid Ahmad of Jawahar Nagar.
Sports fraternity have strongly reacted to the seizure of stadiums by the security forces in the wake of India’s Republic day.
General Secretary of J&K Sports Development, Riyaz Ahmad termed it unfortunate thing , which has been happening from last more than 20 years.
He said, “ It is not first time that stadiums have been kept out of bounds for the players of valley, it has been going on from last more than 20 years. It is unfortunate for the sports fraternity of valley that players are barred from practicing for about two months every year on the occasions of independence and republic day”. “Already due to harsh winter our players cannot practice regularly.”
He said that how could we expect medals from our players at national and international level when they aren’t able to practice regularly.
Another former athlete Mukhtar said that Government does not have sports high on its agenda and they don’t care about the up-liftment of sports.
He said, “Every political party which comes into power say that they have got sports high on its agenda but their slogans and assurances turn out as mere hoax as they don’t even care about it”. “The importance of the sports can be judged by the fact that new NC-Congress government doesn’t have as yet sports minister in its ministry.’
Joint Secretary Sports Council, Abdur Rouf said, “We have officially stopped our activities in the Bakshi Stadium from January 20 in the wake of upcoming Republic day celebrations. During these days only essential staff like electricians, ground staff and mangers will work there.”
About the deterioration of field that happens to due to these functions and the vehicles used in it he said, “The celebration and the vehicles used into parade really deteriorate the field turf and the athletic track around it. We are helpless, as we cannot due anything about it.”
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