MALAPPURAM: Authorities go extremely vocal while it comes to promoting athletes. But in reality, it is an altogether different picture. Tennis player Haadin Bava, who made Kerala proud by winning the first National Games medal, has to tell a tale of mistreatment by Tirur Municipality. The emerging player was denied entry into the municipal stadium by the authorities even after repeated pleas.
“I approached the municipal authorities seeking permission to make use of the stadium for practice and physical engagement. But, the authorities told me they are unable to allow me inside,” Haadin said.
He wanted to practice here in order to keep himself fit for the upcoming contests. The national-level player has been abstaining from tournaments after he suffered a wrist injury.
“I wanted to come back and it needed practice,” he said. The civic body closed the stadium for maintenance five months ago. But, no works have been carried so far. The uncertainty, however, has drawn strong public ire against the municipality.
The stadium was used by hundreds of local residents for physical exercises during morning and evening. When the player repeatedly complained and gave a memorandum to the chairman, he was told the civic body is unable to take an action in his favour citing public anger alleging discrimination towards local residents. “If they put me and morning walkers in the same category, there is no point in continuing as an athlete here. It’s better to represent other states,” he said.
Apart from the chairman and councillors here, the issue was also taken up with Tanur MLA V Abdurahman. Haadin, who holds 11th rank in the country, has represented India in various tournaments and won various major national-level tournaments. Haadin, who hails from Tanalur near Tirur, is presently residing in Mumbai.
The tennis player is planning to go back to Mumbai in order to resume his practice at the earliest. Meanwhile, Tirur Municipal chairman K Bava said the stadium will be opened soon for the public after a decision is made in the next council meeting.
The chairman, who denied the allegations, said Haadin was told to make use of the stadium without creating any kind of inconvenience for others. While responding to the issue, Kerala Sports Council president T P Dasan said the council will look into it and will intervene in the issue if needed.