Despite Rs 6-crore investment, Guru Nanak Stadium neglected

Neeraj Bagga

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Tribune News Service

Amritsar, July 4

Renovated at a cost of Rs 3.6 crore in 2011-2012, Guru Nanak Stadium, the only multipurpose sports ground in the city, has become a victim of government and public apathy.

Ceiling fans have been damaged while locked toilets force players and visitors to urinate in the open. This is turning its walls shabby and the stadium an unhygienic place. Even cold potable water for players is not available in summer.

Pawandeep Sharma of the Punjab Sudhar Sabha said a casual and careless treatment was being given to the only multipurpose sports ground in the holy city.

Athletics, volleyball, hockey players and weightlifters use the ground to train for the games daily. Besides, it also serves to hold parades to commemorate Independence Day and Republic Day. Sharma said despite its utmost utility, there is no arrangement for its security.

He said its infrastructure like ceiling fans has been damaged by unscrupulous persons for want of security. On the other hand, public utility toilets have been locked to secure their toiletries.

About four years ago, the stadium’s infrastructure was augmented to facilitate World Cup Kabaddi matches. Its seating capacity was raised to 5,000 from nearly 1,500 seats. In addition to constructing seven rooms, a dope-test laboratory, the pavilion’s canopy, separate toilets for men, women and handicapped were also constructed.

Another investment of Rs 2.17 crore for floodlights was also made, taking the total investment to Rs 6 crore.

A hockey player, on condition of anonymity, said, “It is Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) in the city which has a synthetic track to train hockey players. The track meets international standards. There is restricted entry for players and it is not possible that all players can be accommodated in the ground simultaneously. The stadium is near the bus stand and the railway station. It is easily accessible for players coming from inside and outside the city.”

The Guru Nanak Stadium offers a good opportunity to budding players to get trained in the basics of the game while playing on a grassy ground. Then they can graduate to astro-turf to hone their skills, he added. Carelessness in maintaining the stadium would cause a swift breakdown in its infrastructure.