Denied stadium admission: athletes

Following their protest, a number of athletes at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Sector 3 and the District Sports Officer (DSO) traded a number of accusations. They alleged that the players’ access to the stadium has been restricted by the DSO.

The players insisted that the DSO was preventing them from practicing in the stadium, but the officer countered that the players must register in order to utilize the government venue’s amenities for free. “Many people have started private coaching here and are running businesses,” said DSO Neel Kamal. A large number of gamers lack membership cards and many of them are not even registered. The registration procedure for these gamers has already started, and the issuance of membership cards is expected to take two to three days. Although we cannot permit private coaches to provide paid instruction at this government facility, no one has been prevented from utilizing it.

Players assert that they have been hounded for many months, in contrast to the DSO’s allegations. According to the DSO, football practice is taking place. We athletes (field events) are unable to practice at the stadium as a consequence,” Ankit remarked.

However, the complex also features a football field and has held a number of events in the past. Another athlete, Aditi, said, “Football players are sent specifically to stop athletes, and we are thrown out of the stadium.”

The athletes have requested that the CM take action against the DSO in a letter that they wrote.