DDA shoos away members from sports complexes

Nearly 20,000 families in south and east Delhi will be denied their daily fitness and sports regimen, thanks to the Commonwealth Games. HT reports.

Nearly 20,000 families in south and east Delhi will be denied their daily fitness and sports regimen, thanks to the Commonwealth Games.

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The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has closed its Siri Fort and Yamuna Sports Complexes, venues for some of the Games events, for its regular members. Members of the Yamuna Sports Complex in east Delhi observed a ‘Black Day' to protest DDA's move.

Both Yamuna Sports Complex, which is the venue for Archery and Table Tennis and Siri Fort Complex, venue for Badminton and Squash, have been closed from August 16 for two months. DDA said the step has been taken as a security measure.

"We got to know on Tuesday morning that the complex would be closed for us from August 16," said Sanjeev Bhasin, a life member and convenor of the complex.

"As other members started arriving, we decided to observe a black day."

"We have paid annual subscriptions in advance and had no inkling that the complex will close two months before the Games start," he said.

"The complexes have been closed for members as per security requirements of the concerned security agencies," a DDA spokeswoman said.

"How can they stop us in the name of security? All members have identity cards and we have frequenting the complex for more than a decade," said Kapil Mehta, another life member.

"If labourers can enter for renovation work, why are we the only security hazards?"

"It seems members of DDA's other complexes, where Games events will not be held, are luckier," said Pradeep Bhatia, another member.

"Life members pay Rs. 11,000 as a one-time fee and annual fees. We have to pay separately for facilities like the pool or the tennis court," Bhasin said. "Since we are paying , DDA should have allowed members to use them even if some areas had to be cordoned off."