Four years on, Indoor sports stadium Shopian awaits completion
Jahangeer Ganaie
Shopian: Even after a lapse of over four years, the indoor sports stadium in Arhama area, of south Kashmir’s Shopian district is awaiting completion. The stadium was to be completed and put to use years back.
Players from different villages of the area said that we were very hopeful that by enhancing the sports infrastructure in the area, the youth will get engaged in different sports activities and will remain away from drugs.
“However, after the lapse of around four years, the project seems nowhere to be complete,” locals said.
They said that since beginning, the construction work was going at snail’s pace due to which whole sports lovers besides players are discouraged.
“The project was given a deadline of two years when it was announced however, four years have now passed but the project is yet to get completed,” Rouf Ahmad, a local athlete said.
He said that if the stadium will be completed it will prove beneficial for budding and talented players.
“Our valley is faced with the menace of drug addiction and all this is happening due to lack of recreational opportunities given to our youth and such projects are very important to keep them away from drugs,” Farhan Ahmad, another local player said.
Locals said that they have brought this issue to the notice of concerned authorities but nothing changed on ground.
They once again requested the authorities to complete the project at an earliest so that youth can get involved in sports activities and won’t fell prey to drugs.
Pertinently, the project is being executed by JKPCC with an estimated cost of Rs 4 crore.
On contacting Deputy General Manager JKPCC Pulwama Er Masood Ahmad Gagoo, he said that work on the indoor sports stadium has resumed after it was put on halt due to snowfall this year.
He said that due to situation after August 05 decision and covid lockdown, the project completion got delayed and hopefully it will be completed in next two months.
Jahangeer Ganaie
