Hours after the messed-up condition of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium after a two-day concert by singer and actor Diljit Dosanjh sparked outrage, its owner, the Sports Authority of India (SAI), announced that the Widespread littering occurred at the end of Dosanjh’s “Dil Luminati” concerts on Saturday and Sunday, which drew nearly 40,000 fans each night, and regular training sessions. This led to harsh criticism from Delhi-based athletes. stadium.
This is not the first time such an event has been held at the venue, which has previously hosted concerts by top international stars such as Bryan Adams (2004) and Ricky Martin (1998). However, the after-effects of Dosanjh’s match were heavily criticized by the players.
After criticism spread on social media, SAI sprung into action and issued a statement saying the competition area and surrounding area had been restored.
“The main arena of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will be in top condition to host the Indian Super League (ISL) football match between Punjab FC and Chennaiyin FC on Thursday, October 31, 2024. The lawn was restored to match-matching condition before Diwali,” SAI said, along with photos of the restored venue.
Earlier, Delhi middle-distance runner Beant Singh posted images and videos of the track area of the stadium littered with trash, alcohol containers and damaged competition equipment.
“This is where the players practice, but people were drinking, dancing and partying here. Because of this, the stadium will be closed for 10 to 10 days. “Hurdles and other exercise equipment are being broken and thrown everywhere,” he wrote on Instagram.
“This is the situation with sports, athletes and stadiums in India…We don’t get medals at the Olympics because there is no respect and support for athletes in this country,” Singh, 25, said in 2014 and 2018. They won silver and bronze medals at the US Open Championships, respectively.
SAI said its contract with the concert organizers was very clear and the stadium would be returned to the bodies “in the same condition in which it was handed over.” “The organizers of Diljit Dosanjh’s concert had booked the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for cleaning till October 28, 2024 at full rental cost,” it said.
A Delhi coach told PTI that some athletes had written to SAI seeking compensation after boxes containing equipment such as hurdles, starting blocks, shot put, discus and medicine balls were damaged.
“Each hurdle costs between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000 and 10 hurdles are required for a 400m hurdles, 100m hurdles or 110m hurdles race.These young athletes have to pay for these equipments. We have funding available for them, but it’s not easy for them.
“The lock on the box containing the starting blocks, shot put, discus, medicine ball and other equipment was damaged and broke. As a result, some of the equipment was damaged,” the coach said on condition of anonymity.
“So the players will write to SAI asking for compensation and see what happens.” He said the players have been told not to train inside the stadium until October 31. It is said that there is.
“For 10 days until October 31st they will not be able to train inside the stadium track. We are training on the outside track, but the conditions there are not good.
“It’s disrupting our players’ practice schedules. The National Junior Championships and the National Schools Championships are coming up.” JLN Stadium was left in such disarray after a public event attended by a large crowd. This isn’t the first time.
“Athletes who train here have expressed disappointment in the past, but nothing has changed,” said a track and field athlete from Delhi, on condition of anonymity.
Currently, no national team camps are being held at this stadium. However, this is part of SAI’s ‘Come and Play’ scheme, which allows children and beginners to use the stadium’s facilities free of charge for training purposes.
This venue was built to host the track and field events of the 1982 Asian Games. It was renovated for the 2010 Commonwealth Games and both the opening and closing ceremonies of that show were held here.
Topics mentioned in this article
Leave a comment