Early Times Report
JAMMU, July 17: After spoiling three seasons in a row and fourth at the verge of end, the State Sports Council has planned to throw open the 'completely renovated' only swimming pool in the state at MA Stadium, here tomorrow.
The facility, as per an invitation card circulated by the Joint Secretary of the autonomous sports body, Siddharth Sharma, shall be declared open for the public by the Minister for Sports, Raman Bhalla in a well attended function tomorrow at 5 pm.
However, contrary to the claims of the Sports Council, the pool was yet to be renovated in all respects. In a visit to the pool, ahead of its inauguration, SAN correspondent found that except for filthy water in the pool there was a complete mess at the swimming pool.
It was found that the entrance of the main office was blocked by the pipes and other material. The separate changing rooms for men and women besides the showers, a pre-requisite for a swimming before dividing in the pool, were in a bad shape.
The space all round the swimming pool was yet to be cemented for making the place dust free. "It seems that the Sports Council is throwing open the swimming pool in a hurry. A lot of work is yet to be done to make the facility available for the young and senior swimmers, who are waiting since long for the pool to start functioning", said a senior coach.
On the other hand, the contractor involved in the work was of the views that they have been allotted with the job of renovation of the pool and replacement of the filtration plant whereas other related works were not part of the project allotted to them.
Still 'MAM' for Council
After calling it MAM at the time of inauguration of the Basketball courts in the recent past, the State Sports Council again committed blunder by naming it MAM Stadium in the advertisement issued to the print media for the grand opening of the renovated swimming pool.
"One can well imagine the state of affairs in the State Sports Council from the fact that even the senior officers at the helm of affairs do not know the name of the sports hub in the winter capital," opined a parent at MA Stadium. |
