Srinagar, Apr 1: Gani Memorial stadium in the heart of the old city’s Rajouri Kadal mocks at the indifference of the government. The sprawling Stadium is filled with garbage, filth, and a major area of it remains submerged in water for most part of the year.
 Though the State Sports Council has done earth filling of the Stadium turf area this year, condition of the field is big slap on the face of Council who maintains it.
 The condition of the biggest stadium in this part of city is so deplorable that adjacent residents don’t allow their children to play in it. From water logging to uneven field, the Stadium has all the shortcomings.
 Throughout the year, water flowing from adjacent drains directly gets accumulated in the Stadium. The slight drizzle makes situation worse as the stadium lacks drainage system because of its low lying nature.
 Not only the Council is responsible for the deplorable condition of the field but local are to blamed as well.
 The Stadium is full of garbage that locals throw in the stadium. For a stranger Stadium will look more of a dumped yard rather than a stadium. Even one can see huge quantity of cattle dung inside the stadium.
 Though the main turf is normal now after earth filling done, outside main turf area that includes spectator stands is in deplorable condition. The cemented stands have almost cracked and wild grass have covered them all over hard to find where the stands are. The condition spectator stands itself shows how many Council maintains the large spaced stadium.
 Between the spectator stands and main turf is an area of around 15 feet that has turned into the marshy land due to the accumulation of drainage water. As the water remains logged in this area it is to be seen for how much earth filling turf will remain dry.
 The drains built by the SMC directly flow into the Stadium. Players blame Sports Council authorities for the miserable condition of the Stadium.
 “The outfield has been earth filled recently. However, there is wild grass all around it. The marshy land that welcomes players when one enters the stadium makes it difficult for players to enter. For entering the field we have to remove shoes first,” said Ubaid Aalam, a local cricketer.
 “Despite residing close to the stadium I never practice here. The track is uneven which is not idle for practice. Sports Council engineering wing is responsible for the condition of all the fields of the valley,” he added.
 When contacted Council Sports Officer, Haji Abdul Qayoom said, “We are doing our bit but locals spoil it. We earth fill it and they pour their sewerage pipes directly inside the Stadium.”
 “The Stadium is our main priority. In first phase we have done earth filling and levelling of main turf. In second phase that will start shortly we will start work on boundary walls and spectator stands,” he said.
 However, Qayoom maintained that Stadium is not only property of the Council but also of locals who live around it and they should choose between stadium and dumping yard.
 “We have repeatedly requested the locals not to throw garbage in the Stadium,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 1 Apr 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 1 Apr 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 2 Apr 2012 00:00:00 IST