JLN Stadium fiasco latest example of SAI prioritising money over sports

New Delhi: In the wake of the damage of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium’s football turf and athletics track, the Sports Ministry has come under scrutiny over mismanagement of infrastructure sporting facilities in the country. The poor conditions of the Sports Authority of India-owned facility came into the spotlight after the completion of Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati music concert which spanned for two days.

There were litters of wastage and used alcohol bottles across the track. There were strain on tracks and the bermuda grass was taken off the colour with lines marked on the surface. This was due to setting up of a massive stage for more than 3000 dancers to perform in the concert, as reported by News9 Sports.

Decolourisation of Bermuda grass at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. (Photo: News9 Sports)

A report from Sportstar mentioned that hard brush bristled brooms used to sweep the ground ended up damaging the tracks, which was further exacerbated by cycle rickshaws with heavy loads moved on it. The organisation of concert also forced some of the athletes, who trained regularly at the JLN stadium facility, to train in the adjacent locality.

All these instances raise serious question whether the Sports ministry negligent towards its core responsibility of promoting sports and maintaining the infrastructure facility in the country. This has been a contrary move from the Sports Ministry’s felicitation ceremony for athletes’ major achievements and boasting how they are the nation’s treasure. But then is there accountability when the athletes’ fiefdom (the stadiums) are damaged like in the JLN case.

Will SAI think about athletes first and revenue later?

A report from The Tribune, published in October last year, cited a Comptroller & Auditor General of India’s (CAG) report, wherein SAI focused on renting its properties to generate substantial revenue. The report also mentioned how SAI earned Rs 28 lakh and Rs 235 lakh in the year 2020-21 and 2021-22, respectively. This all has come at the cost of the athletes facility and the focus rather should be on increasing the meet events.

Punjab FC, who play their regular home matches in the ISL, is set to play their next match against Chennaiyin FC. The players will find it tough to play on a deteriorated filed, though the SAI officials have assured that the venue will be in top shape to host the fixture.