The present state of the mini football ground in Sector 8, Dwarka.
Once developed for promoting football among youngsters at the grass-roots level in Delhi, many mini football grounds are in shambles as it seems they don’t have the Delhi Development Authority’s attention anymore. Be it Dwarka, Vikaspuri, Paratap Nagar or Keshopur etc., it's the same story. These grounds are in a state of neglect. Wild bushes, rusted iron grills and broken or missing goal posts are a common sight.
One such ground is situated in Sector 8, Dwarka. BK Barua, a former national football player and treasurer at Munirka Apartments, Sector 9, Dwarka, says, “There is a lack of space for sports in Dwarka. The existing infrastructure should be in good condition so that anyone can use it. I am saddened to see the condition of the mini football ground in Sector 8. This ground was never used due to poor upkeep and casual approach of DDA.”
According to sources, there used to be security guards till 2014 for 24 hours since its development in 2010. There was also a board with information and rules for the use of the ground. The place was accessible until 2015 but now the ground is not accessible and has been closed by the DDA. There is a boundary wall and the board has been removed.
A file photo of Sector 8's mini football ground shows boards put up by the DDA.
In Vikaspuri, the mini football ground is being looked after by players of ‘Angels Football Club’ in which children of a slum in the area play. Tanjeer Ahmad, a player of the club, says, “This ground is a boon for us as we are promoting the sport among slum children and they are doing great. We cleaned the ground recently as there were tall grasses. We try to keep it clean so that we can use it.”
Local residents say that nobody from the authority visits the ground and the maintenance is being neglected. A few kilometres away, there are two more grounds at Keshopur, which are accessible but not in a usable condition. In fact, the DDA has opened an open-air gym in front of one of the grounds at Keshopur, but seems unconcerned about the football ground that was once developed under one of its ambitious projects.
The state of the mini football ground at Keshopur.
The irony in the state of affairs is that, according to sources, 15 mini football grounds were developed in 2010, but a recent press release by the DDA cites only 10 such grounds that are functional. Moreover, DDA officials are also unaware about the subject and the total number of such grounds in Delhi. The question is if there are more grounds than the ones mentioned in DDA’s press release, then why are they missing in DDA’s list.
When City Spidey spoke to Atul Kumar Garg, commissioner sports, DDA, he said, “The subject is not in my knowledge as I have just taken charge. Let me first check the facts about the mini football grounds. We will do the needful accordingly."
The mini football ground at Vikaspuri.
