It is a closed holiday for all trainees at the various indoor stadia in and around the city this summer. Normally, this would be the time when these world-class venues buzz with activity, with a huge number of beginners joining the regulars to grapple with basics in various sport disciplines.
But with elections round the corner, all indoor stadia will be taken over by government officials – either to store Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) or for other election-related material or activity.
“We have declared a holiday for the 150-odd trainees of Sports Authority of India (SAI) at Saroornagar from this weekend till counting for elections is over. It effectively means we have even told the hostel inmates to go back to their native places (for almost two months),” said senior SAI official K. Srilatha Reddy, adding that there was nothing new in the move.
“It happened in 2009 too,” she explained.
Dronacharya S.M. Arif is also upset that the Fateh Maidan indoor stadium will be shut down next week.
“Summer happens to be the time for any athlete to spend extra time to work out on strengths and weaknesses. Training schedules will definitely be hit,” says the renowned badminton coach.
Gachibowli Sports Complex Administrator G. Ravinder said shutting down sports activity would affect about 50 regulars and up to 150 others who are likely to attend various camps during summer.
