In disrepair, Lucknow’s stadiums await renovation

LUCKNOW: Craggy tracks for athletes to sprint on; tin shed that cannot shelter weightlifting trainees from rainwater; torn nets for cricketers to practise with; and damaged wooden planks of badminton court obstructing footwork of players.These are the conditions under which budding as well as established sportspersons have been practising at Chowk Stadium, KD Singh ‘Babu’ Stadium, Vijayant Khand Stadium and other govt facilities in the state capital.Chowk Stadium, once counted among the city’s prominent sporting venues, now presents a grim picture. The weightlifting hall and gymnasium continue to function from a tin-shed structure fitted with outdated machines. According to sportspersons, damp walls, leaking sewer water and poor ventilation have made the gymnasium unfit for proper training, while its low-height tin roof turns the space unbearably hot.“The condition of the badminton hall is equally poor. Courts have been badly damaged and, in the absence of air-conditioning, cooling systems or even exhaust fans, players struggle to train in suffocating conditions. Wild weeds have also grown unchecked near the hall, reflecting prolonged neglect of the premises,” a sportsperson said on condition of anonymity.The stadium has no proper athletic track, forcing young athletes to train on uneven surfaces that pose a risk of injury. “Water supply at the stadium is also not proper. In the multi-purpose hall, players have to practice without fans or air-conditioning,” a sportsperson said.Talking to TOI, coaches expressed concern over the neglect.A coach, who did not wish to be named, said though temporary repairs were carried out at badminton courts from time to time, the condition kept worsening.“We repeatedly brought the issue to the notice of higher authorities, but no concrete action followed,” he said.Another coach said the stadium had four national-level athletes and 10 state-level players, but it lacked equipment and proper athletic track. “Training on mud tracks full of patches is dangerous for players,” he said.A similar situation prevails at the badminton arena of KD Singh ‘Babu’ Stadium, where all three courts have deteriorated and wooden planks are in a bad shape.A badminton trainee at KD Singh ‘Babu’ Stadium, requesting anonymity, said training had been disrupted for the past six months as the damaged courts required repeated repairs every few days.A coach said senior authorities had been informed about the problems, but action was yet to be taken.Regional sports officer Atul Sinha said, “We will take up the issue with the sports department. A proposal has already been sent to the authorities concerned for the construction of a new weightlifting hall-cum-gymnasium, renovation of the badminton hall and basketball court at Chowk Stadium, and modernization of the badminton courts at KD Singh ‘Babu’ Stadium.”The Vijayant Khand stadium badminton hall and table tennis hall were also found to be in a bad condition.‘Renovation work to begin soon’Secretary, sports and youth welfare, and director general, youth welfare, Suhas LY said, “An amount of Rs 5.5 crore for the redevelopment of Chowk Stadium and Rs 2 crore for KD Singh Babu Stadium’s renovation has been earmarked. We are waiting for the govt order after which renovation work will begin.”“We are aware of the problems and have planned renovation and redevelopment accordingly,” he said.