Rules flouted: Tent erected at Sec 69 sports complex

Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, September 30 

In violation of norms, the organisers of the roller hockey tourney erected a tent at the Sport Complex, Sector 69, here today to facilitate themselves and their guests.

While the GMADA authorities that run the sports complexes in the town, claimed that no permission was given for the erection of tent to anyone, sport administrator Captain Mohinder Singh (retd) claimed that he was not aware of any such rule. 

“I am not aware of any such norm,” Capt Mohinder Singh told the Chandigarh Tribune. “They (the orgnaisers) erected the tent on ‘kutcha’ space between the skating rink and the basketball court,” said Captain Mohinder Singh, who has been holding the post of sports administrator for the last nearly two years. 

When contacted, Rajesh Dhiman, the Additional Chief Administrator of GMADA, said the erection of a tent on the sports complex premises without proper permission from the GMADA authorities was prohibited.

“I would look into the matter. How the tent was erected when no such permission was given by us? The permission was given to hold three-day roller skating tourney only,” said Dhiman. 

Shockingly, while the organisers and their guests were seen enjoying the competition under the shades of the tent, the participants were seen sitting on the floor of the sports complex lobby in absence of proper arrangements for them. 

“I don’t know how the authorities permit the organisers to set up the tent. The tent can be erected for refreshment purposes and that too with prior permission from the GMADA. Here, the sports administration has been running the affairs on their own whims and fancies,” said a local coach on condition of anonymity. 

The coach further said the condition of sports infrastructure at all the sports complexes in the town was “pitiable”. “The sports administration is just sleeping. They are least bothered about the maintenance of the sports complexes that have come up with public funds worth several crores,” he lamented.