Belthangady: The long wait of the local sportspersons and fans for a stadium to promote sporting activities may not end in the near future due to the lackadaisical attitude of the concerned departments in completing few pending works.
                                                         The incomplete sports stadium in Belthangady

Prior to 2011, small events were held in the government first grade college grounds and for major events the sportsmen had to go to Shri Rathnaverma Hedge stadium in Ujire. The stadium was sanctioned by the then government and around 67 lakhs was allotted for the construction purpose and immediately two pavilion blocks were constructed and a 200 meter track was laid in 2011 itself. Subsequently there were no resources to construct a compound wall around the stadium and the works came to a halt. With ongoing works like providing water and electric supply connection completed in 2011, the people then dreamt of a stadium in the near future close to the taluk panchayat office on the river bank.They thought the stadium when completed, would provide an opportunity for the sportsmen from the area to improve and represent in sporting events in their respective sport streams.

In addition the sports complex location draws many people because of its panoramic view and many feel with a park and a jogging track around it will help even other people from the area to spend their leisure time with their children and family. They also feel that would help them to increase their individual fitness levels and to remain in close contact with people and sportsperson who use the complex frequently.

With complex in shambles, few miscreants have broken the bricks around the field track and the soil used for the track has got washed away during incessant rains in the area over the last few years.

According to the Zilla Panchyath Assistant Engineer Thippeswamy, the stadium needs a retainer wall as it is on the river bank and towards the construction of the same an additional funds of 25 lakhs would be required. Due to this reason the stadium has not been transferred to the department of sports and youth affairs.

According to Prabhakar Naravi , official in the district sport and youth affairs, the stadium has not been handed over to the department since the sport complex inauguration has not taken place till date.

The elected representatives who used the stadium issue to garner votes in earlier elections and took credit for partial completion of works are now unavailable for comment.

Like in many other government projects the delay will not only result in cost escalation but will also deprive the people in need (in this case sportspersons) an opportunity to build their careers.

With fund crunch, lackadaisical approach from elected representatives, blame game between government departments the half completed sport complex may still remain distant dream for all sport lovers from the area.

For now, everyone is on the lookout for a torch bearer to take up the responsibility to complete the pending works !