Authorities not keen on stadia upgrade

Chandigarh, March 12
It seems that officials of the UT sports department have turned a blind eye towards the development of city-based stadia.
Even as the end of the financial year is approaching, the authorities are yet to table new proposals regarding the upgradation of these stadia.
Notably, the UT administration has asked for Rs 21.48 crore (annual) and Rs 107.92 crore (five year) under the 12th five year plan budget for making new stadia and upgrading infrastructure.
Not only this, the department has claimed to have spent Rs 7 crore (apart from Rs 2 crore for purchasing the much-awaited AstroTurf for the Sector-42 hockey stadium) on upgrading the sports infrastructure in the city.
On the other hand, the condition of various stadia has turned from bad to worse as no development has taken place for years here. There are no gym equipment in these stadia.
“Things will change, but it will take time. The cricket stadium is being upgraded and new floodlights and gym equipment are also being provided there. Hopefully, things will change at the Sector-17 football stadium and Sector-46 stadium, ” said VK Singh, finance-cum-sports secretary.
Basketball players are still waiting for new ‘basketball courts’ at both the sports complexes in Sectors 7 and 42 here. The work to re-construct the arena had reportedly started in April last year, but till date it has not been completed.
“I have been practising here for the past four years but have never seen any new equipment here,” said a player.
While another player practising at the Sector-46 sports complex stated, “We cannot afford expensive gym equipment. So we have to make do with old equipment.”
Earlier, the sports department had decided to organise the All-India Basketball (U-19) Tournament in November last year at the sports complex, Sector 42, but it reportedly failed to organise the same as the work on the stadium was incomplete. The court is under construction for the past two years.
“During the last budget, the sports department had spent Rs 7 crore on upgrading the stadia. Now, Rs 21 crore will again go down the drain,” said sources in the department.