Instead of players, grass grows high in KU Playgrounds
As the sports season in valley sets in, authorities in Kashmir University are struggling to maintain playgrounds in varsity’s main campus, Hazratbal
Tall weed plants to unattended stones, garbage and unlevelled surface are witnessed in the playgrounds, and are emerging out to be the reasons of keeping the players and athletes away from the playgrounds.
A player, who wished not to be named, said: “these playgrounds have witnessed bigger events and tournaments, however, these days they are not even suitable for simple practice of the players.”
“Official negligence has led these playgrounds to transform into grass field, and soon will become grazing fields for animals,” he added
The playgrounds situated near the varsity’s ‘Rumi Gate’ entrance are not far away from the official gaze, but their condition suggests otherwise.
A student of varsity’s English department, who also wished to be anonymous said “with our studies we want to play cricket, football or any other game but the condition of ground in KU is not allowing us to.”
“We often use to play under the Chinar trees near the department of Music and Fine arts. There, we are playing in a non-professional way which failed to add taste to the game” adding “authorities should maintain these grounds so that we may play in a professional way.”
Authorities have also failed to keep a check on outsiders, as the Director Physical Education Department of Kashmir University, Nisar Ahmad Rather says that outsiders coming to play in these playgrounds create problems to us.
“If we maintain these grounds outsiders come here and play without any permission, if we tell them these grounds are for only students of Kashmir University they create ruckus in the compound,” he said
When this reporter asked him why you failed to stop outsiders to come in Kashmir University’s playgrounds replying he said “this is not my job, this is protectors job to make sure no outsider steps in the campus”
While informing that the authorities are will start a campaign to facelift the playgrounds Nisar Ahmad Rather said that “We have a ground beside of our department which are players are using for practice and is in good condition. However, within days we will start a drive to maintain rest of our grounds in the campus, “he added.
KV Correspondent
