Sirsa district stadiums cry for repair, await government approva

After two young athletes died in accidents at poorly maintained stadiums in Rohtak and Bahadurgarh, no action is being taken to fix the badly damaged sports grounds in Sirsa district. Sports officials say they have been requesting repairs for years, but the state sports directorate has not approved any funds.

Sirsa’s largest facility, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Stadium, is now in ruins. A repair estimate of Rs 77.72 lakh has been lying on the directorate’s table for months with no response. Gym machines are rusting, windows are broken and aluminium structures have collapsed. Officers say hundreds of people, including leaders and officials, visit the stadium daily, but nothing changes.

After the Rohtak accident, the state headquarters asked the districts for condition reports. Sirsa submitted a detailed report showing that most sports equipment was usable but buildings and safety nets needed urgent repairs. No action was taken, and a new inspection is now being carried out by the Public Works Department.

According to sources, the district Sports Department has requested funds to repair several damaged stadiums across Sirsa. The proposals include Rs 77.72 lakh for Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sports Complex in Sirsa; Rs 19.52 lakh for the Rajiv Gandhi Sports Complex in Kanwarpura; Rs 8.60 lakh for Dholpalia; Rs 7.29 lakh for Jamal; Rs 16.48 lakh for Nuhianwali; Rs 17.48 lakh for Sukhchain; Rs 27.25 lakh for Ganga; and Rs 27.08 lakh for Godikan. The department has also sought Rs 15.86 lakh for Rania Sports Complex and Rs 42.82 lakh for the hockey astroturf in Jivan Nagar. The largest request, Rs 133.19 lakh, has been made for Shri Guru Gobind Singh Stadium in Dabwali. Additional proposals include Rs 31.51 lakh for the Rajiv Gandhi Complex in Balasar, Rs 5.94 lakh for Baragudha Stadium and Rs 3.81 lakh for Bappan Stadium.

District Sports Officer Jagdeep Singh said most stadium buildings in the district were in unsafe condition, but the playing fields and equipment were largely in good shape. He said fresh repair estimates had been sent to the directorate for the grounds that needed work. “We have written to the directorate many times, but no budget has been approved. We are waiting for funds, and renovation will begin as soon as the budget is released,” he said.

44 stadiums, most buildings in bad condition

Sirsa district has 44 stadiums. Many, including major complexes in Sirsa, Dabwali, Chautala and several villages, have buildings that are unsafe. Safety nets around cricket, athletics, hockey and archery fields are broken. Spectator stands near volleyball and basketball courts are unusable and trees are growing through the damaged structures. The athletics track is full of potholes, making practice dangerous. The hockey astroturf is also worn out and unsafe. The Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Sukhchain village, once built to support rural athletes, now looks more like a forest. Weeds cover the entire area. Windows are broken, floors are damaged and gym equipment is rusted. Toilets are unusable. Chaudhary Sahib Ram Stadium in Chautala village, opened in 1991, has almost no lighting. One basketball court has a weak solar light, while the second court has no poles at all. Running tracks remain completely dark in the morning and evening, making training difficult. In Dabwali, Guru Gobind Singh Stadium is in extremely poor condition. The main stage is collapsing, indoor halls are broken and the gym appears unused for years. Equipment is rusted, and the track surface is uneven, causing injuries to the athletes. The Rania Sports Stadium, built at a cost of several crores, has turned into a place for drug users. Syringes, liquor bottles and drug waste are scattered across the grounds. Lights, fans, taps and doors have been stolen.