Kehribal sports stadium in dilapidated condition, players anguished
Players demand intervention from higher-ups
Anantnag: The lone sports stadium in Kehribal-Mattan hamlet of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district is lying in dilapidated condition which has left the players in a state of despair.
Players from the area said sports stadium Wantrag was the only stadium in the area but it has not been developed on modern lines.
The players said that they were hopeful that the government will prioritize upgrading facilities at the sports ground and engage youth in different sports activities.
“The work on this ground was started during the NC-Congress regime but it was left mid-way and since then no work has been done on it,” the players said.
The Stadium is located on the foothills of mountains and provides picturesque scenes to sports lovers.
“But the stadium has not developed the way it should have been,” they said.
Mudasir Ahmad, a local player said that despite being an old ground where players from different areas come to play cricket have to suffer in absence of facilities.
He said that everyday players are getting injured due to uneven surfaces of the ground.
“Many a time officials of the administration visited the ground and assured that conditions of the ground will be developed soon but nothing has been done till date,” he said.
Another player said that the ground is lying in dilapidated condition and the government must work on it so that local players can be engaged in different activities.
“There is no ground for around 50-60 villages in this hamlet and the government must develop it so that it can cater to the needs of the players,” he said.
Players said that if this ground will be developed on modern lines, it would help them to nourish their talent and prove their mettle at mega stages.
They said that developing sports infrastructure is the only option to keep youth away from drug addiction.
Locals said that they have brought this issue to the notice of concerned authorities but so far nothing has changed on the ground.
They urged the authorities to develop this ground at the earliest so that youth will be engaged in sports activities and will not fall prey to drugs.
Jahangeer Ganaie
