Urwan Pulwama residents rue incomplete work on sports field
PULWAMA: The work on a sports field in Urwan area of south Kashmir Pulwama district has been left in midway which has left the residents anguished.
The athletes from different villages of the area said that they were hopeful that the government will prioritise the up gradation of the ground and equip it with all the facilities and engage youth in different sports activities.
“This is an old ground here and players from different areas come to participate in cricket and other sports activities but they suffer in absence of facilities,” a local said.
The locals said the valley is facing the nuisance of drug addiction which is due to lack of recreational opportunities given to youth.
“Development of such grounds is very important to keep them away from drugs,” said Irshad Ahmad, a local player.
He said around Rs 10 lakh were spent on the ground in 2020 by the government. But the amount was not enough to meet the requirements of the players.
“Since then funds were sanctioned twice for the ground but due to unknown reasons they get lapsed every time and are not used,” the player said.
The athletes said officials of the administration visited the ground several times and assured that work will start soon on the ground.
“But nothing has been done on the ground so far,” he said.
Another player said that the ground was lying in a dilapidated condition, noting that the government should complete the work on it so that local players will get engaged in different activities.
“If this ground is developed on modern lines, it would help players to nourish their talent and prove their mettle at mega stages,” he said.
Locals said that they have brought this issue to the notice of concerned authorities but so far nothing has changed on ground.
The residents urged the authorities to develop this ground at an earliest.
Jahangeer Ganaie
