LB Stadium facelift apace

By V. Geetanath

HYDERABAD, FEB. 3. As the twin cities get the plans ready for hosting the National Games next year, the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) is all set to give the much-needed facelift to the long-standing and the only existing sports arena of repute, the Lal Bahadhur Shastri stadium.

While the SAAP itself which has its offices located inside the stadium is shifting lock, stock and barrel to the fifth floor of `Parisrama Bhavan' at Basheerbagh within the next fortnight, it has served notices on the 32-odd shops and establishments, including the sundry car accessories stores located near the mini-football stadium, to vacate.

Not just that. The football ground, despite opposition from the local football association, is paving the way for swank tennis courts, as many as nine of them with a central court, to host the event for the National Games. And more. The renowned Fatehmaidan Club (FMC) had also been "sounded" to look for an alternative accommodation.

"A sports stadium's first duty is to promote sports. It should be a place for the exclusive use of sports-related activities and is not meant to have offices, commercial establishments or for recreational purposes," says Mr. L.V. Subrahmanyam, Vice-Chairman and Managing Director, SAAP.

He feels that the very ambience around the stadium with 114 shops, including workshops located within, makes it look like a "bazar" rather than a sports stadium. When there is a general sense of feeling that the sports infrastructure in the State is inadequate, it makes sense to make proper use of the available facility, is his argument.

Besides the work on the tennis courts, certain sections of the stadium are to be demolished to give way to a large pavilion and other facilities for sports activities. "We want to create new space only for use of sporting activities, including facilities for people to learn yoga, physiotherapy and so on," explains Mr. Subrahmanyam.

But the going has not been that easy for the SAAP. Though notices to vacate were issued to the shops and their occupation was declared illegal, the shopowners had approached the court and obtained a stay order. However, the SAAP is confident that the ruling would be in its favour soon enough.

With regard to FMC too, the shell-shocked club which has some prominent personalities on its rolls had suggested that it would gladly bear the cost of any new construction on its side instead of a total shift.

The Club has been functioning from the stadium since 1969 and has over 4,000 members with facilities for tennis, billiards, cards and, of course, the watering hole. "We have not received any notice from the SAAP. In fact, we have always cooperated with them," says Mr. Nagesh, FMC Secretary.

Mr. Subrahmanyam, who is also the Director of Sports, is drawing up a plan for ensuring that there is proper maintenance of the huge stadium once it gets spruced up. This would be on the lines of the Sports Authority of India with an officer to look after the administration, fixing sports schedules and the general upkeep of the sports complex.

The SAAP MD says Davis Cup player Mahesh Bhupati's father, Mr. Krishna Bhupathi, had visited the tennis courts site and expressed keen interest in bringing an international event once they were ready. "If we can generate some talent from the steps being taken, the job is done," he reasons.

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Section  : Southern States
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