IGMC stadium no use to players, sports lovers

​ Vijayawada: Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation Stadium (IGMC), the biggest stadium in Vijayawada is in deplorable condition without basic amenities and has no use to the sports lovers. Besides, the administrative policies of the government spoiling the sports activities further in the stadium.

The VMC constructed the stadium to promote sports and games in the city. Most of the mega events in the city are taking place at IGMC stadium for more than two years hampering the sports activities.

Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) and District Sports Authority (DSA) have their offices and been working on the IGMC premises. Vijayawada being State capital, the government is using the IGMC stadium for other than sports.

Every month, the Government is conducting some mega events related to administrative activities causing a big hurdle to the sports lovers and players. Hundreds of players are unable to practice and hone their skill in the stadium due to various events hosted by Government.

IGMC stadium belongs to Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) and it is maintained by corporation. DSA office and SAAP coaches are using stadium building and ground for various types of activities. SAAP has no stadium of its own in the city and depending on VMC stadium. The SAAP has constructed a building in the stadium and using it as its State office.

Sports persons and sports associations are demanding that the government create sports facility in the city. They said that if it would not be possible to hand over the IGMC to SAAP. Sports Authority already sent proposals to the government earlier on transfer of the stadium, said a sports association representative.

Sports Authority of India (SAI) earlier sanctioned nearly Rs 7 crore for construction of 400 meters synthetic athletic track at IGMC stadium. It was transferred to Visakhapatnam due to lack of proper maintenance. Vijayawada is producing a number of national athletes, but the government is not supporting the sports in the city, alleged senior athletes.

They felt that lack of synthetic track was the reason for their lagging behind in national championships. VMC and State government give top priority to commercial and government programmes, said Krishna District Olympic Association (KDOA) secretary KP Rao. VMC was using the stadium only for commercial and political purpose. It was main obstacle for the sports development, he alleged.

Last year, VMC officials allotted the stadium for cracker shop and collected Rs 2 lakh, he said. He asked the VMC officials to give the details of its income on rents. Due to lack of proper drainage system, the IGMC stadium was defaced into water tank in rainy season, said senior kabaddi player Suguna. IGMC stadium is waste when compared to that of Hyderabad LB Stadium, he said. Stadium had no security and stadium gallery was used for illegal activities, he said.

District Sports Development Officer (DSDO) Md Sirajuddin said that SAAP had no stadium in the city. “We are using IGMC stadium for sports and games. Sports persons have facing so many hurdles”, he said. He made it clear that government has no proposal to construct SAAP stadium in the city.