BIJAPUR: Bijapur Government High School ground, which was considered one of the best sports grounds in north-Karnataka region, is in a dilapidated condition. The school is 140 years old, and its ground has the credit of hosting many important sports events including Ranji trophy cricket matches. However, with the continued apathy of local leaders and district officials, both the school and Bijapur city ahs faded into a pale imitation of their past glory.
Bijapur Government High School was established as an Anglo-Vernacular school in 1866 and named Agriculture High School when it was shifted to its present premises. Former cricketer Sidhir Ranade recalls that such Bijapur High School ground was better than cricket grounds of Dharwad and Solapur in those days. Even hockey and football were played here regularly.
He said many State- level tournaments, including Ranji trophy matches were played here. “Leg spinner BS Chandrasekhar got a ‘recall’ into the national team after he had taken nine wickets in a Ranji match played in Bijapur High School ground,” he recalled.
However, the ground is in shambles due to negligence for a few decades. It was completely ruined in 2009 when the school’s compound walls were broken to divert flood water from the city. Even today the ground is spread in 7.5 acre area.
Principal JS Poojari said the school did not have funds to maintain the ground properly.
He said there is a proposal to renovate gym and wrestling arena, and added he would take action to fill large pits on the ground.