Now, city stadiums to remain open on Sundays

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, November 17

Considering the long-pending demand of city sportspersons, the UT Sports Department has decided to keep open all the stadiums on Sundays. 

The stadiums will instead remain shut on Mondays from November 26, added the UT Sports Department.

During a high-level meeting here today, it was also decided that stadiums will remain open on the second Saturday of every month, while they will be closed on second Tuesdays. 

Confirming the development, Sports Director Captain Karnail Singh said the decision had been made and it would be implemented from the next week. 

"We will implement the decision from next Sunday, i.e., November 26," Singh said, adding that the department was yet to inform the concerned units.  

"We are yet to issue the orders to the respective managers/coaches and all other affiliated. There was a long-pending demand of opening the stadiums on Sundays. After looking at the feasibility of the project, we have given it a go ahead," he said.

"The stadiums will now remain close on Mondays. Also, the stadiums will remain open on second Saturdays and instead, they will be closed on second Tuesdays. Now, people can enjoy their holidays while playing a sport," said the Sports Director. 

He, though, pointed that all other criteria for enrolment of members would remain the same.  

There are 11 stadiums under the Sports Department, and a source said the coaches and managers would look after the stadiums during Sundays. 

"Although nothing is clear yet, the coaches and managers are expected to look after the stadiums on these days (Sundays and second Saturdays). They will be given rest on Mondays. The step has been taken as sports lovers, especially the working ones, had been demanding to keep the stadiums open on holidays. This will increase the revenue of the department and will also accommodate the people’s demand," said the source. 

Meanwhile, the football arena at Sector 42 and Sector 7 Sports Complex, which are scheduled to host the 15th Administrator’s Challenge Cup All India Football Tournament from November 22 will remain close for general public till the championship concludes.