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So close, yet so far
There seems to be no end to the woes of local athletes, who have been dreaming at a synthetic track at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JNS) ground for over a decade.
Hanamkonda: There seems to be no end to the woes of local athletes, who have been dreaming at a synthetic track at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JNS) ground for over a decade.
Even though the Central government had announced a synthetic track for Warangal under ‘Khelo India’ scheme aimed at sports development a few years ago, there has been no serious follow up thereafter. Thanks to the people’s representatives of the region, who never focused on the long felt need of the local sports fraternity.
Over the years, Warangal has a decent record of producing quite a few athletes, who had done well at state, nationals and international level tournaments and won quite a few medals, this despite the poor track and field facilities at the JNS ground. It may be noted here that but for the one at Gachibowli stadium, there is not even a single synthetic track in the State.
As of now, the existing mud track is the only respite for the athletes to hone their skills. Whenever there is a rain, the players will have a forced rest day. It needs a lot of hard work to bring back the drenched track back in shape for the practice.
K Sarangapani, a senior coach and mentor to Dronacharya awardee Nagapuri Ramesh, said: “The athletes are finding it difficult to adapt to the synthetic track whenever they participate in the highest level meets.
The little opportunity they get to practice on the synthetic track, which is available only at Gachibouli stadium in Hyderabad, ahead of the State and national level meets, doesn’t help the cause of the players.” Though an expert committee from the Sports Authority which inspected JNS had submitted a report to the government, there is no one to follow the matter, he said.
Speaking to The Hans India, Sports Authority of Telangana (SAT) State Vice-chairman and Managing Director A Dinakar Babu said: “Warangal and Medak will also get a synthetic track each. The delay is due to some changes in the Khelo India scheme. However, we are trying to get the track as early as possible.”
It may be noted here that under Kehlo India scheme, the Centre will fund 50 per cent of the total Rs 7 crore for laying of synthetic track. The remaining balance amount will be met from out of MPLAD funds.
It’s apparent that MPs play a prominent role here. It was Lok Sabha member B Vinod Kumar who lobbied to get Centre’s nod for a synthetic track By Adepu Mahenderfor Karimnagar city. There are five MPs – Captain V Laxmikantha Rao, Pasunuri Dayakar, Ajmeera Sitaram Naik, Rapolu Ananda Bhaskar and Garikapati Mohan Rao representing from the erstwhile Warangal region.
JNS Walkers Association president Namindla Srinivas said: “The then Warangal MP, now Deputy Chief Minister, Kadiam Srihari, who promised a synthetic track and other facilities in the stadium, needs to fulfill his vow.”
