Sports lovers disappointed as indoor halls to remain close

Nagpur, June 6

Although the state government has allowed lifting the lockdown-like restrictions in level-1 cities including Nagur, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has allowed only outdoor activities from Monday. The sports lovers, particularly badminton and table tennis players, are quite disappointed over this decision and have demanded to open indoor halls also.

As per the notification issued by NMC commissioner B Radhakrishnan, the outdoor sporting activities would be allowed from 5 a.m. to 9 am. and from 5 p.m to 9 p.m. only. It means city's indoor halls including Divisional Sports Complex, University's Subhedar Hall, NMC'sVivekanandn Nagar badminton, hall, Swavlambi Nagar hall etc will remain close.

The sports lovers particularly the badminton players have expressed their displeasure over the decision. Talking to Lokmat Times one badminton player said, " For last two months, we are out of practice due to the restrictions. We were expecting that indoor halls will be re-opened from Monday after the state government allowed all activities in level-1 cities. However, the NMC administration has taken a different decision".

One national-level coach has slammed the administration for double standards. "Gyms which is indoor activity is allowed till 5 pm. Then why not indoor halls"? he questioned. Director of Department of Sports and Physical Education Dr Sharad Suryavanshi said as per NMC's guidelines university's Subhedar Hall will remain close. However, the athletes can practice on the track in the morning and evening sessions.

In this regard when contacted NMC sports committee chairman Pramod Tabhane he said, " Only outdoor sports are allowed. Number of players who are involved in indoor sports have called me and expressed their displeasure. Within a couple of days I will give a memorandum to NMC commissioner and will urge him to re-open indoor sports complex also". Meanwhile Nagpur District Hardcourt Tennis Association (NDHTA) is restarting its coaching activity from Monday in two sessions. According to a press release issued by NDHTA secretary Sudhir Bhiwapurkar the training session will be organised from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 5 p.m to 8 p.m.