In an inspection to check whether the city’s largest sports complex, the Kanteerava stadium was disable friendly, a rather different issue unfurled. On Tuesday, the disability commissioner K S Rajanna who carried out the inspection found condoms, syringes and steroids inside the stadium.
Times of India reported that the inspection showed that illegal activities were taking place inside the stadium. Beer cans, liquor bottles, syringes and condoms were found in the empty rooms on the top floor of the stadium.
TOI quoted Nagesh V , President of Sports Players Association, a non-government committee fighting against the misuse of stadium premises and lack of facilities for athletes saying, “After sunset, I've seen outsiders coming here and using the empty rooms for illegal activities. Women are also brought into the premises. Several complaints have been made to the committee but no one listens to us.”
The Hindu reported that the sports officials accused coaches and organisers of athletic meets for bringing in the syringes.
An official from the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports alleged that players end up using steroids to boost their performance.
Nageshwar Rao claimed that the stadium had become a hub of illicit activities at night. “Groups of men and women from neighbouring areas scale the low fences and use the rooms of the stadium. We have received complaints about this from athletes who stay here during sports camps,” he said.
No funds for disabled-friendly infrastructure
The stadium lacked disabled-friendly infrastructure, and there were no lifts and ramps for the disabled, making the premises inaccessible by wheelchair, reported The Hindu.
“The place is not disabled friendly, it's not clean. In February 2014, we took up a suo motu case, but nothing has happened. Now, we'll approach the sports minister. It's impossible for a disabled person to move around here and this despite funds being allocated for its development. Strict instructions have been given to make sure facilities are provided within the next 30 days,” Rajanna said.
“The badminton court in the new complex is wheelchair inaccessible and was made without any planning for the disabled. They do not treat disabled athletes and coaches on a par with others. We have to run from pillar to post to get a single approval or are simply told to not waste their time,” quipped a para-athlete
This is an aggregated report from The Hindu and Times of India