A week after kabaddi cup, stadium still unfit for use

In spite of heavy security during semifinals of the 4th World Cup Kabaddi, a week after the tournament concluded, public property and facilities at the Multipurpose Sports Stadium, Bathinda, have been found to be extensively damaged.

Semifinals of the men's and women's events were held here on December 11 and a posse of cops were deployed inside the stadium.

The security establishment did not leave anything to chance and even mediapersons who forgot to carry passes were not allowed in.

An HT team that visited the stadium on Wednesday after a week, found that a large number of chairs in the VVIP block had been damaged and there seem no plans afoot to repair the broken chairs.

The stadium meant for the public and sportspersons have not been made fit for playing.

The paraphernalia brought to the stadium to pep-up the celebrations and proceedings were not disposed of properly. The uninstalled polls are still lying in the stadium. Joggers are also unable to visit the stadium.

Kuldeep Puri, a regular walker at the stadium, said: "Whenever any event is held here, it takes time for the administration to clear the debris. We have been skipping our morning walks. Now, pebbles are strewn across the track."

Another regular Paramjeet Kaur said that the stadium was meant for multipurpose sports and not cultural activities.

Bathinda deputy commissioner KK Yadav and SSP Sanjeev Kumar were not available for comments.