Pressure mounting on NMC to re-open city indoor halls

Nagpur, June 7

Since Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has allowed to re-open the outdoor sporting activities, the pressure is continuously mounting on them from the players as well as coaches to re-open the city indoor halls.

On Sunday, as soon as the NMC issued the notification allowing only indoor sports activities in two sessions, the sports lovers particularly badminton players expressed strong resentment over NMC decision.

When contacted NMC commissioner Radhakrishna B he said, “ We will open sports facilities step by step. In first phase we have allowed outdoor sports activities. We will monitor the situation of the Covid cases in the city on weekly basis and then only we will decide whether to open indoor halls or not. If the cases remain consistently low then we have no difficulty in re-opening the indoor sports complex”.

The commissioner also said that the reason behind not allowing the sports compex to reopen is totally on medical ground. “ Sweat and air conditioning system at the indoor hall could increase risk of virus infection”.

NMC Sports Committee chairman Pramod Tabhane has presented a memorandum to NMC commissioner Radhakrishnan B making him aware about the concern of players and coaches. Talking to this newspaper after handing over the memorandum Tabhane said, “The NMC commissioner assured me to re-open the indoor halls after taking the review. He himself is a badminton player and is aware of the concern of the players and coaches”.

It may be mentioned here that there are number of coaches in the city who earn their livelihood on coaching only. The first wave has already ruined them financially as the halls were closed for long time. They are facing similar situation since the halls are closed from March end in the second Corona wave. NDBA secretary Mangesh Kahiksar said “ NDBA is supporting both players and coaches. If NMC do not allow to open the indoor halls within one week, then the players will voluntarily start their regular practice by following all the Covid protocols. This is sheer injustice to indoor games. In gyms are allowed then why not indoor halls”, he questioned.