Irked by poor state of stadium, Sports Minister warns officials of action

Sports Minister Haryana Gaurav Gautam conducted a surprise inspection of Rajiv Gandhi Sports Stadium at Bastara village on Wednesday. After witnessing the poor condition of the stadium, he expressed his displeasure and warned officials that if the situation did not improve within two months, strict action would be taken.

After the inspection while interacting with mediapersons, Gautam emphasised the state government’s commitment to promoting sports among the youth. He said Haryana was actively providing basic sports facilities at rural stadiums so that young athletes could receive proper training at the village level and keep them away from social evils  such as drug addiction.

He said under the leadership of Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, the government’s new sports policy was proving to be effective in fostering sports development and would help Haryana’s athletes achieve national and international recognition.

Speaking about the stadium’s poor condition, Gautam instructed officials to ensure improvement within two months. He ordered the preparation of a proper playing field, the appointment of a coach and the provision of essential amenities such as drinking water, electricity and functional washrooms.

Additionally, he directed that the stadium hall windows, doors and walls be repaired and repainted. The minister stressed that monitoring the stadium’s upkeep should not be limited to office work but should involve on-ground supervision, with the cooperation of the village panchayat.

“I may conduct another surprise inspection in two months. If the conditions remain unsatisfactory, strict action will be taken against those responsible,” Gautam warned.

During the visit, village sarpanch Suresh Fauji urged the minister to establish a sports nursery at the stadium. In response, Gautam said that a nursery would be set up based on the prescribed criteria. The sarpanch also complained that the Sports Department officials did not cooperate with the panchayat regarding stadium maintenance. Taking immediate action, the minister directed District Sports Officer Sudha Bhasin to collaborate with the village panchayat and ensure the availability of proper facilities for the athletes. He also instructed immediate deployment of a coach at the stadium.