Karimnagar: Skating rink, badminton court lease decision becomes controversy

The skating rink and badminton court were developed with modern facilities in the Ambedkar stadium here. Since it became difficult to maintain them, the District Sports Authority decided to lease out both the facilities for a period of two years with a fixed monthly rent. While a rent of Rs.1.50 lakh was fixed for the badminton court per month, it was Rs.50,000 for the skating rink. On Thursday, the DSA issued a notification inviting tenders from interested parties from December 13 to 20

Karimnagar: The district administration’s decision to lease out a badminton court and skating rink here have triggered a controversy with some sportspersons and youth organizations opposing the decision.

The skating rink and badminton court were developed with modern facilities in the Ambedkar stadium here. Since it became difficult to maintain them, the District Sports Authority decided to lease out both the facilities for a period of two years with a fixed monthly rent. While a rent of Rs.1.50 lakh was fixed for the badminton court per month, it was Rs.50,000 for the skating rink. On Thursday, the DSA issued a notification inviting tenders from interested parties from December 13 to 20.

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However, a few youth organizations issued statements opposing the decision and warned of an agitation if the officials failed to revoke the decision. DSA sources say that some persons, who were making benefits from the badminton court and skating rink, were trying to create hurdles for the lease process. The skating rink is being utilised by different parties to give training to children by coaches. Though they were collecting fees from children, they were not paying any rent to the DSA, the sources said.

Same was the case with the badminton court, which was developed in an indoor stadium. Per month, Rs.500 is being charged per each person to play shuttle in the indoor stadium. While some of them are paying, many others are avoiding it and the maintenance of the indoor stadium has become difficult for the authorities. It was because of this that the district officials decided to lease out the badminton court and skating rink since those take these facilities on lease will have to pay rent without fail.

Contrary to this argument, representatives of youth organizations said that presently, Rs 500 was being charged per a person to play shuttle in an indoor stadium. This would go up to Rs.1000 if the court was handed over to private persons, they fear, adding that poor and middle class sportspersons would not be able to afford it.