HYDERABAD:Sports enthusiasts are worried over lack of playgrounds and sports facilities in Secunderabad Cantonment area. There is no specific department or official in Secunderabad Cantonment Board to monitor sports facilities in SCB limits.
There are about four to five major grounds in SCB limits like Tirumalgherry playground, Mudfort playground, Bollaram playground, Bowenpally playground, among others. With no officially-managed playgrounds or stadia, local youth and sportspersons depend on these playgrounds for conducting tournaments as well as for jogging. Even these playgrounds do not have proper facilities.
“There is severe shortage of playgrounds in Cantonment area. Sports enthusiasts go to far off areas like LB Stadium, Domalguda and other places for daily practice. New playgrounds should be created by using vacant government lands,” said T Sudhir, in-charge of Cantonment Sports Association.
Even if basic facilities are created at the existing playgrounds like Mudfort and Tirumalgherry, it will help local kids and youth in a huge way, he further said.
Though there are Gymkhana and Parade Grounds, not all kids and youth go there.
Added to this officials have decided to divert a part of Mudfort Ground to set up a waste collection and segregation point, inviting wrath from local residents.
“It is true that lot needs to be done for the development of sports facilities and playgrounds in Cantonment area. The waste collection and segregation point is just a temporary one. We will not divert Mudfort for other purposes and are also taking steps to set up a walking track, hockey and volley ball court at Mudfort.
Already we have spruced more than 40 parks to facilitate joggers and set up gyms at some locations for youth. Similarly we will take steps to step up sports facilities at existing playgrounds,” said S Keshava Reddy, president of SCB.