Is Dandamudi Rajagopala Rao Municipal Corporation indoor stadium meant to promote sports or it is an annexe of Vijayawada Municipal Corporation? Though, on paper, it is meant to nurture sports the ground reality is something else.
The indoor stadium, with a history of more than 30 years, is gradually becoming an extension counter of VMC. Thanks to the previous Congress regime and the present TDP rule, departments such as sanitation, electrical and fire are functioning from the stadium much to the anguish of sports lovers.
The rooms meant for players are occupied by the civic staff and are used as storerooms. “It is unfortunate the stadium which hosted best of events in the past is gradually losing its sheen,” bemoaned a coach.
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The space beneath the gallery has been taken over by the sanitation department and the washroom meant for the public use is transformed into a storeroom to stock up bleaching powder and other things.
The garbage push-carts and vehicles moving around the premises not only produce unbearable stench but also create parking problems. “When an association conducts a mega event, it is put to hardships as the rooms are occupied by departments. With Vijayawada becoming the capital city of Andhra Pradesh, the VMC should make efforts to refurbish the indoor stadium exclusively for the sports,” felt senior badminton administrator K.Ch. Punnaiah Chowdary.
Andhra Pradesh Table Tennis Association secretary S.M. Sultan said the corporation should immediately replace all the asbestos on the roof to stop the leakages. “A stitch in time saves nine. The corporation should at once change the asbestos lest the wooden flooring will go for a toss”.
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The corporation is yet to over the open spaces with mesh to prevent pigeons from entering and the badly-maintained bathrooms brings to fore the repulsive image of the stadium.