Athletes want permission to practice at Sector 46 complex, approach secy

Deepankar Sharda

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Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 27

Masters (veteran) athletes, willing to practice at the Sector 46 Sports Complex, have approached Secretary Sports demanding to open the field for amateur and professional athletes.

The local athletes alleged that they were not allowed to practice at the complex due to non-availability of a coach and also blamed it on the lack of interest of the authorities. The Chandigarh unit has been divided into two zones (north and south), which participate separately in inter-districts tournaments.

While the athletes from north district practice at the Sector 7 complex, those from south practice at the Sector 46 complex. However, since the Sector 46 complex is closed, they either go to Sector 7 or Panchkula.

“There are three sanctioned posts for coaches, but the department has not bothered to fill-in all. We have been asked to practice at the Sector 7 complex, which already remains full to its capacity. A few athletes managed to go to Panchkula (Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Sector 3), but Covid-19 made things difficult for them,” said Anuj, one of the athletes.

“Athletics is the most ignored sport by the authorities in Chandigarh. There has been no synthetic track. Equipment available is not up to the mark. These are some basic needs to develop sporting culture,” said Rahul, a local athlete.

The veteran athletes also highlighted problems faced during practice hours.

“Players of field events, especially throwing, have nowhere to go. Due to other sports played in the arena, they are sometimes asked to shift as throwing discus, hammer and javelin may cause injuries. We have several veterans who brought laurels to the city in national championships,” said Amarjit Singh, president, Chandigarh Masters’ Association.

He said: “We don’t even need coaching, but a place to practice. We have to have a proper place to practice. All other sports have been allowed in the arena, why not athletics?”

“I have been writing to the Administration often to solve this problem. Athletes from our sectors are unable to use the facilities. Moreover, ignorance of the department is a cause of worry,” said Councillor Shakti Prakash Devshali, who has also written to the department.

Meanwhile, the District Sports Officer (DSO) said that the matter would be resolved soon.