Work on indoor stadium put on halt in Zampathri Shopian
Locals demand attention of higher ups
Shopian: The residents of Zampathri area of Keller hamlet in south Kashmir’s Shopian have demanded that work on indoor sports stadium must be resumed at an earliest.
The residents of the area said that an indoor sports stadium for the area was sanctioned around two years back but it was constructed till plinth level only after which work was put on halt.
Players from different villages of the area said that they were very much hopeful that by enhancing the sports infrastructure in the area, youth will get engaged in different sports activities and will remain away from drugs and other social crimes, however, construction work has been put on halt and the stadium was constructed only up to plinth level.
“There is more need of indoor sports stadium in the area as the area remains covered with snow for around six-seven months and under such circumstances, indoor sports stadium remains the only option for the local youth,” a local resident said.
They said that if stadium will be completed it will prove beneficial for budding talented players besides helping in diverting the youth towards sports rather than dru abuse or other social malpractices.
Tariq Ahmad, a local player said that Kashmir valley is facing the nuisance of drug addiction and this happens only due to lack of recreational opportunities given to our youth.
He said that players in Zampathri area are facing more problems as it is far flung area and remains covered with snow for several months together due to which local youth are unable to rake part in any game.
In winters, such an infrastructure can prove very beneficial for the youth of Shopian where addiction rate is high, another player said.
He said that project must be completed at an earliest so that youth from area can take part in games in winter months too.
Sports players along with sports lovers said that they have brought this issue into the notice of concerned authorities several times but so far nothing has been done.
They once again requested authorities to complete this project at an earliest so that youth can get involved in sports activities and won’t fall prey to drugs.
