Public playgrounds were launch pads for sports stars from city

He was barely 13 when Illyas Pasha, a footballer of international repute, started practising the ‘beautiful game’ in the Vyalikaval public playground. Having ticked off as many goals as he could, he returned to where it all began to handhold another generation of budding players.

The former India volleyball player Balaji Prabhu has a similar story to tell. His career started in the BEL playground in the same township he grew up in. “There are facilities such as the Sree Kanteerava Stadium and that of the Sports Authority of India as well. However, preference will be given to those from the sports hostel and the selected candidates rather than the public. Not everyone can afford to go to academies to learn sports,” he said.

Threat of urbanisation

But will these public playgrounds last under the onslaught of increased urbanisation? Bengaluru has as many as 390 public playgrounds, a healthy number, many would say. Nevertheless, the recent controversy surrounding the government’s proposal to build an indoor stadium on the Indiranagar playground sparked off fears of the loss of another public play space. Active opposition from the local residents managed to get the plan shelved.

Another ground was not as fortunate. “It has been almost six years since the basketball ground in Malleswaram 15th Cross was taken over for the construction of an indoor stadium. The players have nowhere else to go. Yes, stadiums are needed for better training, but not on existing grounds,” said a basketball player, who did not want to be named.

Not affordable for all

The rapid growth of the city has also meant shrinking spaces for the public.

Children wishing for some form of outdoor activity are confined to either playing a game in the midst of a steady flow of traffic, even in residential areas, or being enrolled in clubs or camps — options that not everyone can afford.

Common playgrounds

Even for several schools in the city, which do not have the luxury of having their own playground, public playgrounds are the only avenues for outdoor activities for the students.

These common playgrounds and those housed in townships of public sector undertakings have also acted as launch pads for many a sporting talent from the city, many of who have gone on to represent the country.

“We have seen a lot of talent coming up on such playgrounds. There are enough facilities, but little awareness about them. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has opened public gyms. What it also needs is a little bit of streamlining. The government can rope in coaches. Many sportsmen do not have jobs now. This can be beneficial to them as well,” said Mr. Prabhu.

Maintain existing grounds

There were others who pointed to the need to upgrade and maintain existing facilities. The former India basketball player M.A. Parthasarathy said public basketball grounds in Koramangala, Jayanagar, Mathikere and near Bengaluru East Railway Station were being used for other sports now and required upkeep so they could be used to train prospective basketball players again.

Public playgrounds were launch pads for sports stars from city

Such sportsmen are now coaching budding players on the same grounds