Srinagar, Feb 17: After a gap of nearly 22 years, one of India’s best and Valley’s only Indoor Stadium here has been equipped with central heating system for a meagre Rs one lakh instead of proposed staggering amount of Rs 8 crores.
 The central heating system of SK Indoor Stadium which was occupied by the security forces in early 1989 has been restored and made functional by JK State Sports Council for the benefit of players who practice daily. The old heating system has been made functional this winter making Indoor complex all weather sports venue. With the restoration of heating system the rush of players mostly youngsters have increased manifold during winter months.
 “The stadium has been equipped with heating system for the benefit of players and with that we have been successful in making it all weather sports venue,” said Chief Sports Officer, M S Baba.
 Commissioned in 1982, the Stadium used to host indoor games like badminton, martial arts, handball, gymnastics and wrestling. But the activities came to a standstill when the troops occupied the complex immediately after the outbreak of militancy in the state in 1989.
 Having a seating capacity of over 2500, the Stadium was a regular venue for state and national tournaments. Besides, 1000 odd local players from various fields would regularly practice there. Central hall of the stadium where most of the games were played was specially designed.
 Given the popularity of the football in 80’s, soccer was the first game to be played at the Stadium on the inaugural function. The then Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah, had witnessed the match.
 As players avoid outdoor practice during harsh winters, facilities were available for warm-up. However, it all changed when the Stadium was taken over by the forces. And with the passage of time, the Stadium turned into shambles. The central hall flooring, lighting arrangement and the heating system got out of order.
 Even though during past few years some minor activities were being held in a part of the Stadium, it was made fully functional this year with the organising of various national level event prominent being North Zone National Table Tennis Championship.
 “When present Secretary took charge of Sports Council he thoroughly studied every perspective of making Indoor Complex functional. He looked into the proposed Rs 20 crore restoration work plan and out rightly rejected it. Instead he made his focus on making existing machinery work which has been non-functional since 1989,” Baba said
 Giving exact details what was project and how the work was done with meagre amount, Baba said, “Last year proposal of restoration of Stadium was made for Rs 20 crores which included Rs 8 crores for heating system. But since the proposal cost was huge it was rejected by the Government. After taking over as Sports Council Secretary, Kiran Wattal, who is himself from engineering background studied the design of the Stadium. He with the help of the officials during whose time Indoor Stadium was built restored the stadium and more recently the existing heating system”.
 The restoration of heating system has helped the players immensely and they have been able to practice non-stop this season.
 “It is great to see practising non-stop this season which would keep me fully prepared for the competitions. It has been possible only due to the heating system in Indoor Stadium,” said Ashiq, a Thang-Ta player.
 Idrees, a badminton player, said, “The Stadium is lot better than previous years. The non-stop practice sessions will surely help us in the national arena as we will not be short of practice like in the past.”

Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 18 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST