Rania stadium turns ‘haven’ for drug addicts

A stadium built nearly a decade ago in Rania town of Sirsa district to promote sports among youth is now being used by drug addicts, according to residents and officials.

Developed around 2013 at a cost of several crores, the stadium was designed to train athletes in a region known for producing national and international players in hockey, handball and tug-of-war. The stadium was inaugurated in 2015. It once offered an indoor hall, spectator stands, changing rooms, storage facilities and reliable basic utilities.

Residents say the 3-acre campus on Nanuaana Road now lies abandoned. Groups of youths gather daily to consume drugs and other substances, say locals. Used syringes, silver foils, broken liquor bottles and waste litter the ground. Overgrown bushes surround the field and lights, fans, taps, wiring and doors have been stripped away.

Families living nearby and students at a neighbouring ITI centre say they avoid walking past the stadium even during the day. Locals allege that several young men from nearby wards fell into drug addiction after frequenting the site and that some have died young.

“This stadium was meant to keep youth away from drugs. Today, it is pushing them towards addiction,” said Rania Municipal Committee Chairman Manoj Sachdeva. He said the stadium is built on municipal land but remains in the control of the Sports Department. “The department neither maintains nor hands it over to us,” he added.

District Sports Officer Jagdeep Singh acknowledged the concerns, saying the department has received numerous complaints about the stadium’s condition. “We prepared a special repair estimate of about Rs 16 lakh and sent it to our head office in Panchkula six months ago. But the funds have not been approved,” he said, adding reminders have been issued.

Singh also confirmed the Rania Municipal Committee has formally requested that the stadium be handed over to them for maintenance. “This request has also been forwarded to the head office, but there has been no response yet,” he said. “Further action will be taken once we receive orders from the department.” Residents say the facility requires urgent repairs, security and proper supervision.