The High Court of Karnataka on Monday ordered issue of notice to the State government on a PIL petition filed by a group of athletes, who have questioned allowing use of Kanteerava outdoor stadium’s track and field area for conduct of football matches by a private club.
A Division Bench, comprising acting Chief Justice H.G. Ramesh and Justice P.S.Dinesh Kumar, passed the order on the petition filed by V.R. Beedu, Ashwini Nachappa, both international athlete coaches, and several other coaches and young athletes.
The court also ordered issue of notice to the JSW Bengaluru Football Club, which was allowed to use the stadium’s track and field area by the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports.
Stating that Kanteerava outdoor stadium was built exclusively for track and field games, the petitioners have alleged that the department has illegally allowed the stadium for the use of football matches, though the city has a separate stadium for football.
‘Deprived of right’
The petitioners — who have been using the track and field facilities, including a 400 m synthetic track at the Kanteerava stadium — have complained that they were deprived of their legitimate right to use the stadium owing to the agreement signed by the Department with the BFC, which has put up several structures inside the stadium.
The petitioners have sought a direction from the department to cancel the agreement with the BFC and restore the facilities to the athletes.
