BANGALORE: The World 10K run on Sunday was an eye-opener for various sports associations, most of whom struggle to pay the rentals or electricity charges to the government for use of the two Sree Kanteerava Stadiums -- indoor and outdoor.
But now they could arrange to conduct a huge event, get sponsors, collect participation money from the general public and make them part of the event in some capacity or the other, promise a huge grant to the Sports Authority of Karnataka and they could also make use of both the venues free of cost for a week or so.
Whether or not the Chief Secretary, the Principal Secretary or the Secretary have the powers to waive off all charges, they have joined hands to do so for the sake of the World 10K organisers. Not just that, even the services of the BBMP is provided. Charges applicable wherever is the rider. Then again the organisers in turn thank the government for providing many services `free of cost’. Is there a twist here? Various government officials and representatives of the organisers were present at a meeting on April 17, 2009 under the chairmanship of the chief secretary Sudhakar Rao.
The secretary Vittal Murthy briefed the members and brought up the following points:
● An expected 20,000 people will take part in the event. Well, may be.
But then he says that over 50,000 spectators will assemble in the stadium and all along the route. This is debatable as most of Bangalore would not even have woken up and the race would be over. Except curious onlookers at places, none bothered to be present in such events held before. Not more than 3,000 to 5,000 people at the most have ever been present at the stadium.
● The Department of Youth Services is to make available the use of the outdoor stadium to canvas for the event and draw more crowds and also open counters for various purposes.
Pray, why should the DYSS be responsible for all this when the event is being conducted and sponsored by private agencies?
● Taking it for granted that the use of the stadium and other facilities will be free of cost, the organisers commit to a grant of Rs 5 lakh to the SAK and another Rs 2.5 lakh to the Karnataka Athletic Association.
But there is no mention of the guarantee money being paid to the Athletic Federation of India despite the event being conducted under aegis of the AFI and the KAA.
● There is also no mention of free usage of the indoor stadium, but according to the DYSS officials, as they are giving a grant of Rs 5 lakh, that is also free of cost.
● In the normal course, the rent for commercial use of the Indoor stadium is Rs 2 lakh plus taxes and Rs 5,000 per hour for use of the generator sets. So for a week one would have to pay Rs 15 lakh upwards. The rent for the outdoor stadium is Rs 15,000 per day. For a week it would amount to Rs 1.05 lakh. Instead of paying nearly Rs 16 to 17 lakh, the organisers have magnanimously donated Rs 5 lakh to the SAK and Rs 2.5 lakh to the KAA.
● Can the administrative machinery, in one stroke, agree to refrain from applying established charges for use of government premises? If that is so, possibly all other associations