Handwara, Jul 26 (KNO): The multipurpose indoor sports hall in north Kashmir’s Handwara, which was completed six months ago, has not been made functional yet, with sportspersons demanding its inauguration at the earliest.
Several sportspersons told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that they are desperately waiting for the hall to start functioning.
The Central government with an aim to take sports to the nook and corner of the valley sanctioned about 4 crore rupees to each district for the construction of indoor sports stadiums.
The construction of this Handwara stadium started in the year 2020. It aimed to provide facilities like Volleyball, Gymnasium, Badminton and other indoor games, the sportspersons of the area said.
They said the Handwara subdivision, which is part of district Kupwara, over the years has seen a number of sports enthusiastic youth including girls. Many have won medals at the national and international events, they said.
“We are eagerly waiting for the inauguration of the indoor sports hall as we face difficulties in the absence of proper sports facilities,” said Faisal Nazir, a Martial Arts coach. “We are very happy that the indoor sports hall was constructed here for the good and comfort of our youth, but it should be made functional at the earliest.”
Faisal further said, “We have been organising national-level events in Handwara for the last many years now. This facility would encourage and help us to hold national and international events on a larger scale. It would definitely attract many players from across the country.”
Some major events, he said, are slated to take place in the future. “We have a national event in the coming days. The indoor sports hall, despite being fully developed, is lying closed. All the facilities are available there and it won’t serve any purpose unless it is made operational,” he said.
One of the sportspersons questioned the purpose of constructing the hall if it is not made functional. “We were very hopeful that it would keep youth involved in sports activities given the increase in drug abuse cases. So, it must be made functional at the earliest,” he said.
Nazir Ahmad, a local, said they have always been supportive towards the development of sports infrastructure across the valley and Handwara in particular.
Mehivsh, a player, said, “We were very excited about the functioning of the indoor sports stadium. Our excitement to keep up with the practice and learning seems to have a lesser life. The sports hall must be inaugurated now.”—(KNO)