Panjab varsity allows kabaddi c'ship matches on football field

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, December 18

Tents were pitched for setting-up a VIPs’ arena (stage) in the middle of the football field, which failed to host even a single match of the inter-college championship in the last few years for reasons well-known to the authorities concerned. This will benefit organisers of the ongoing Senior National Circle Style Kabaddi Championship.

The authorities gave permission to use the football field, which is already in a sorry state, as a kabaddi ground for this three-day event. “This is not a big issue. The booking of this ground was made in advance. We are scheduled to revamp the entire ground for installing an underground sprinkler system. So, pitching tents will not harm it. The partial work to install the sprinkler system has been completed and the rest will be initiated after this (kabaddi) tournament,” said Dr Prashant Kumar Gautam, Director Sports, Panjab University.

When asked about the poor condition of ground and not hosting inter-college football matches here, Gautam said, “The issue will be resolved once the sprinkler system starts functioning here.”

Also, on giving permission to host kabaddi matches at this particular football ground instead of cricket or hockey fields Gautam said, “Those fields have already been prepared with facilities. To improve condition of the ground we are installing a sprinkler system here. The ground was not getting proper water. We cannot give permission to use cricket or hockey grounds for hosting kabaddi matches as thesefields are already equipped with modern facilities.”

“We have two football grounds. Our main ground already has a sprinkler system, which is non-functional and repair procedure has already been initiated, while the other one, which is hosting kabaddi matches, is already being revamped,” Gautam added.