Sports Dept takes over Polo Ground badminton court

Tribune News Service

Patiala, January 18 

After Chandigarh Tribune highlighted the misuse of the badminton court at Polo Ground here on January 15; District Sports Officer (DSO) Upkar Singh took it over from the Associate Badminton Club (ABC). Upkar Singh said, “The problem has been solved. Now, the badminton court is under the control of the Patiala Sports Department.” Earlier, the DSO was found unaware of the problem. Later, he constituted a committee to solve the problem. 

He further said, “Now, there is no club in place. I have asked the club members to stop functioning immediately.” Due to the negligence of the Sports Department, a self-recognised club had been using the badminton court since long and making money from it. The ABC was charging Rs 2,000 per month for one hour slot.

Upkar Singh further added, “Club members didn’t have any written permission from the Sports Department for the running the club and using the badminton court.”

The old badminton court at Polo Ground was built for training young players. The DSO has said that now the Sports Department would maintain it properly. “The badminton court is now open to all. People needn’t pay any money to avail the facility.”

However, he didn’t answer any question related to the money made by the club over the years by running the government facility. 

Moreover, the DSO has failed to take action against the club members and those from the department, who were instrumental in creating and running the club.