Sports on Hold: Uri’s mini-stadium in shambles

Uri,Oct 8: The mini-stadium in Uri area of north Kashmir's Baramulla district has been ina state of
disrepair for many years.

Located in the main town of Uri, the stadium was dedi­cated to the residents on
November 28, 2013.Local sports enthusiasts and students have expressed concerns about the urgent need for major maintenance and renovations.

"No maintenance work has been carried out for years, and the ground is in terrible condition, giving it an unappealing look," said Abrar Ahmad, a resident. Mohsin Bhat, another local emphasised that the ground requires proper level­ ling. "The pitch is extremely hard, making it uncomfort­able to play cricket. Additionally, high fencing is needed to prevent balls from rolling onto the road out­side," he said. He noted that the absence of grass exacerbates the prob­lem. "During rainy days, the ground becomes mudd y, making it nearly impossible to enter," he added. Touseef Ahmad, a resident who has played cricket on the ground since 2016.

"The situation remains unchanged. No improve­ments have been made over the years," he said. He also pointed out the overgrowth of grass around the boundary walls, which detracts from the ground's appearance. "This needs to be addressed immediately." gating to keep animals out," A 12th-grade student from Government Higher Second­ary School Uri mentioned that he plays at the ground regularly but sees no support from the sports department.

"There are inadequate seat­ing arrangements for stu­dents and guests, and the available shelters are in poor condition. Instead of sports council, we are getting the support from the Indian Army," he said.
He criticized the use of the ground for parking, stating, "This is completely inappro­ priate. It's
confusing how the sports council allows this, as it worsens the condition of the ground day by
day."
Residents also raised con­ cerns about sanitation. "No regular cleaning is done, and garbage and
animal waste can often be found on the ground. We demand proper they said. They suggested that the ground be divided into zones.

"One area for volleyball, another for football, and a third for cricket. Currently, all sports are played in one space, which deteriorates the quality of the land."

It is important to note that this ground serves as a lifeline for the residents of Uri, hosting
various official functions, public gatherings, and political rallies. Key events such as
celebrations on August 15 and January 26, take place here, making it the only sports field
available for the youth of Uri. However, a senior official from J&K Sports Council in Baramulla said that they are planning for its upgradation. "We will add more facili­ ties to it in the coming days,"
he added.