NEW DELHI: The Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) stadium was buzzing on Wednesday with competition vibes as 300–400 school kids competed in various age-group track and field events at an athletics meet.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Junior athletes participating in U14 to U18 categories in sprint, javelin throws, long and high jumps were soaking in the experience of competing on the newly-laid, blue-coloured ninelane Mondo track, wearing running shoes without spikes. But once the ongoing school meet ends, the gates of the city’s premier venue will again be shut for trainees, professional athletes and for those who pay Rs 100 annually to train as part of the govt-run ‘Come-andplay’ scheme. The stadium recently witnessed protest outside its main gate after some Delhi-based athletes and coaches resisted shutting of the venue on the pretext of renovation and upkeep of synthetic track following the World Para Athletics Championships, and due to two big-ticket international concerts planned in the month of Oct-Nov. American rapper Travis Scott performed on Oct 18 and 19 and singer Akon’s concert is planned for Nov 9.
The stadium is owned by the Sports Authority of India (SAI), which operates under the sports ministry.
In the present case, the authorities say the Mondo track is inaccessible until Nov 15 when the renovation work will be completed. Same people claim that the stadium has been out of bounds for practice since Oct 5. But in reality, the main arena and warm-up track have been inaccessible for athletes and those training under ‘come-and-play’ since May 15.
The whole project of laying down both Mondo tracks cost the govt close to Rs 25 crore, and it was completed in a space of four months. The stadium refurbishment alone cost Rs 80 crore, some reports suggest.
It’s been learnt that the authorities will soon issue a notification, directing athletes to purchase a new set of spikes with specific design if they want to train. Currently, athletes use ‘needle (or pin) spikes’, whose sharp points can puncture and tear the track’s rubber and underlying honeycomb structure. The recommended design henceforth will be ‘compression (Christmas tree) or pyramid spikes’. These spikes – typically 6mm or 1/4 inch) – have a wider base and tiered shape that pushes down on the track surface, causing negligible damage. However, there’s one problem: these spikes aren’t easily available in the sports market or on the ecommerce platforms in India. Such spikes are purchasable internationally with prices ranging from Rs 1,500-2,000.
It’s also been learnt that only the warm-up track will be opened for training after Nov 15, and the Mondo arena will still be out of bounds. The SAI is considering bringing a policy for the use of Mondo track by the end of the current financial year – after which it will renew membership of ‘come-andplay’ scheme cardholders. The authorities will only allow state or national-level athletes to train on the main track.
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