Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council has come up with a Rs 17 crore plan for renovation of facilities at Sher-e-Kashmir indoor stadium here but sportsperson have little hope of seeing it implemented anytime soon.
The Sher-e-Kashmir Indoor Stadium at Wazirbagh here suffered severe damage to sporting facilities due to flood in 2014 but even after three and a half years, the Sports Council has only been able to prepare a detailed project report for its renovation and upgradation.
The massive sports complex, which was one of the best in India when it was thrown open to public in late 1980s, had provisions for conducting activities in various disciplines like badminton, basketball, boxing, table tennis, boxing, weightlifting, powerlifting, fencing and martial arts.
The stadium was closed to public for many years following the eruption of militancy in 1990. It was occupied by CRPF and converted into a security camp. Although the CRPF vacated it more than a decade ago, the Sports Council did not do much to restore the stadium to its glory.
Badminton, basketball, fencing and martial arts are the only sports that are being played in the stadium these days. The overall condition of the stadium is pathetic with layers of dust gathered all around.
The synthetic flooring of the stadiums main hall poses a great risk of injury to the athletes as it is torn at many places or there are big gaps. The wooden flooring beneath the synthetic layer has also started decaying at some places and can cave in anytime.
“It seems no one is bothered about the upkeep of this place. They do not even clean the stadium or the floor even once in a year. We only keep hearing that Rs 200 crore has been sanctioned for sports infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir under Prime Ministers Development Package but where is it going?” a badminton player, who wished not to be named, said.
Secretary of the State Sports Council Waheed Parra, who is also youth president of ruling PDP, sought to defend the slow pace of works but maintained that the council was making all efforts to ensure good sports facilities for players across the state.
“The indoor sports complex had received huge damages due to occupation of security forces during the turmoil and due to the devastating floods of 2014. Some urgently required post flood restorations were carried out within the available funds to make the stadium functional for various sports activities,” Para said.
“While the stadium is functional, the council has submitted to the state government a comprehensive proposal of Rs 17 crore for its complete renovation and restoration,” he added.