Left forlorn, Hanamkonda stadium cries for attention

TIME SATS WAKES UP AND RESTORES VIBRANCY

Warangal: It is inarguably the second biggest ground that the Sports Authority of Telangana State (SATS) boasts of. For sheer length and breadth, it ought to be foremost in terms of promotion of local and district talent, particularly given that it is far away from Hyderabad. 

In a way, most of those belonging to even the adjoining districts and who aspire for careers in one discipline or the other, head for Warangal to realise their dreams.

Alas, far from being a major attraction for sportspersons of every ilk, the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JNS) at Hanamkonda, bears a deserted look, a la an unwanted child.

With no one to tend to the ground, following the retirement of the lone grounds man-curator, and in the absence of qualified coaches, the stadium has nothing inspirational unlike the days gone by whereupon the district produced an impressive array of talent in myriad disciplines. 

It is rather tragic, and preposterous, that the authorities give a damn to the needs of sportspersons from rural areas while they go about enthusiastically to promote those from Hyderabad even though their talents are mediocre, comparatively speaking.

Approximately, 200 budding athletes hone their skills at JNS on a day-to-day basis, yet they have not caught the eye of the powers-that-be.

This is the ground-reality and none can deny the prevalence of such a demoralising mindset, which is rendering sportspersons into a languishing lot with no hope, whatsoever, of any progressive infrastructural support from SATS bar the run-of-the-mill speeches about ringing in a ‘vibrant sports culture’ in the State.

On the face of it, JNS has provisions for athletics, handball, gymnastics, volleyball, kabaddi, kho-kho, football, basketball and indoor games.

According to pre-eminent coach K Sarangapani, who has mentored Nagapuri Ramesh, “a decade-and-a-half back, we had as many as six personnel for the upkeep of the ground. Over the years, they all reached superannuation. 

Sadly, there have been no replacements despite the post being critical to the dreams and aspirations of hundreds of sportspersons from the region.”

It should be recalled that it the very stadium that has hosted innumerable inter-district and inter-State tournaments over the years.

Without ground staff, it’s hard to expect the preparedness of grounds and courts for practice every day, he said, referring to the litter generated by the early morning walkers and those who stop to watch the practice sessions underway. 

To makes matters worse, those passing by are subject to nauseating and stifling spells a day after the ground is rented out for non-sports activities.

Meanwhile, a ray of hope comes from S Dhana Laxmi, the District Youth and Sports Officer (DYSO).

She points out “We are somehow managing without grounds men. The issue has been taken to the notice of SATS. I firmly believe this will be addressed in right earnest and resolved soon.”  
The infrastructural facilities at the regional sports hostel (boys and girls), that has an enrollment of around 120, who are into athletics, handball and gymnastics, are minimal and nothing much to write about. 

It is only passion and determination to move up the ladder that is driving the young hopefuls into volleyball, kabaddi, kho-kho, football and basketball, to about the daily regimen in spite of not having any coach worth the name to work on their strengths and weaknesses.

It is believed that the income generated by the ‘pay and play’ scheme and renting out the stadium is being utilised for running the show and also for payment of salaries to the coaches.

They are all hoping against hope that SATS officials would take note of the sorry situation and rise to the occasion. After all, hope springs eternal!