Lal Bahadur Stadium hired again for non-sporting event

Lal Bahadur Stadium in Hyderabad was hired out again for a non-sporting event, denying athletes training space. Officials of the Sports Authority of Telangana admitted pressure from lobbies, raising concerns over misuse of sports infrastructure despite the State’s new Sports Policy

Hyderabad: The authorities governing sports in the State seem to have the uncanny knack of not disappointing the sporting fraternity!

In the space of two months, Lal Bahadur Stadium, located in the heart of the city and crying for attention, has once again been given on hire for a non-sporting activity, denying athletes the limited training space available in the twin cities on Monday.

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This goes contrary to repeated appeals by top officials of the State government, who often declare that no sports infrastructure would be allotted for non-sporting activities.

Why is this repeatedly done? “There is pressure from different quarters. We just don’t have any say except advising them against the allotment of LB Stadium for any non-sporting activity. Often we are mute spectators,” confessed a senior official of the Sports Authority of Telangana in a chat with Telangana Today.

The venue presented a pathetic look with tents and make-shift structures coming up across the ground, clearly spoiling whatever facilities exist for athletes.

This issue of hiring out sports infrastructure for private parties is nothing new and seems to be an unwritten policy implemented without fail, irrespective of who is in power.

The SATG official said it was both because of a “powerful lobby” and the revenue expected from such events, which is not always significant as sometimes the fee is nominal.

Will there be a permanent solution to this menace? It certainly does not augur well for a State aiming to be the sports capital of the country, especially after launching a unique Sports Policy recently by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy at a Sports Conclave attended by some of India’s finest athletes.

Yes, maintenance is a major issue for the SATG as it requires about Rs 1.5 crore per annum for all stadia in the city. But, there should be a way out, says one former international.

Will there be one? Only time will tell.