Asif Iqbal National Sports
Srinagar: The four-day sports event organized by Youth Services and Sports for Peace and Development under Khelo India in central-Kashmir’s Budgam district has brought more agony than enthusiasm to the participants.
GNS has learnt from credible sources that the event was to be held at Shaheed Aga Syed Mehdi Stadium in the district while the organizers were forced to shift the venue allegedly at the behest a former legislator.
The organizers had already prepared and intimated the participants about the proposed venue but were forced to shift to a local Higher Secondary School in the district which irked the participants as the ground has very less space for such a mega event. Ironically, the organizers alongside the participants were made to do manual work at the shifted venue. Construction material was spread all along in the ground and the organizers alongwith participants were left with no option but to remove the material which included around 200 rods of iron. They later on had to carryout de-weeding and remove other material as well, sources said.
What has baffled many is the fact that the district administration has acted as mute spectator amid the debacle which has brought agony to the organizers and the participants alike, sources said.
In contrast to the directions made by Governor-led administration, last month, ‘no sports stadium be used for any non-sports activity’, sources said that an agricultural event was held in Shaheed Aga Syed Mehdi Stadium. The agriculture department allegedly used a tractor to till the ground during the exhibition, sources said.
Around 200 boys and girls are taking part in different age categories including Wushu, Kick Boxing, Sqay, Thangta and other Martial Art events.
Under the programme around 2000 students from block Budgam are participating in Kho-Kho, Volleyball, Kabbadi, Football and Athletic events during the championship. (GNS)
