More fields, fewer vices: Shimla MC’s game plan to engage youth in sports

Grounds of educational institutions in Shimla may soon be opened up for sports enthusiasts on holidays. The Shimla Municipal Corporation has approached educational institutions, both private and government, to allow sports enthusiasts to use their sports facilities on holidays.

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As there are few grounds and open spaces in Shimla where sporting activities can be pursued, the initiative, if successful, will prove to be a boon for the youth and the children who want to pursue sports seriously or merely for pleasure. “I have already written to the HPU, Deputy Commissioner and Director General of Police to open up their grounds for sports enthusiasts on holidays,” said Surender Chauhan, Shimla Mayor Shimla. “We haven’t received a response yet, but I am hopeful that the proposal will get a positive response,” said Chauhan.

Chauhan further said it would be even better if the schools and other institutes open up their playgrounds for children and other sports enthusiasts after the school hours. “The schools can open up the playgrounds for children on holidays and school hours on a reasonable fee. If there are playgrounds available, children and youth would stay away from vices like substance abuse and digital addiction,” said Chauhan.

Welcoming the initiative, Himachal Pradesh Olympic Association (HPOA) secretary Rajesh Bhandari said it would be beneficial if the grounds were made available to the sports enthusiasts every day after school hours. Pointing out that Himachal was one of the laggards in sports at the national level, Bhandari said the initiative could help build sports culture in the state, which is completely missing at the moment. “The Education Department, Sports Department and the sports associations should join hands to make this initiative successful. It will keep our children and youth on the right track,” he said.

Apart from writing to the educational institutions for opening up playgrounds, the MC is looking for spaces where it can build playgrounds. “We have asked the district administration to hand over the vacant government land in the city to MC so that we can turn it into playgrounds. The problem we face is that most of the land is forest land, and the transfer of forest land to non-forest activities involves cumbersome and lengthy procedures,” he said.

“Besides, Railways and the CPWD also own a significant amount of land in the city. If they share it with the state government, it will be beneficial to everyone,” he said. Anyhow, said Chauhan, the MC was trying to construct basic playgrounds wherever it can. “We are in the middle of making a playground at Kanlog and at a few other places,” he said.

In Shimla, there’s just one indoor sports complex (Indira Gandhi Sports Complex). It can accommodate only a small fraction of children and youth interested in pursuing sports.