The taluk is considered as an abode of talented sportspersons. But the lack of facilities has discouraged the growth of budding sports talents.
Somwarpet has produced some of the best sportspersons in state, national and international levels. It still lacks a state-of-the-art playground.
At present, the taluk has two playgrounds — one at the Government Pre-university College and another at Government Higher Primary School.
B P Govind, M P Ganesh, Arjun Halappa, S V Sunil and Vikram Kanth are some of the sportspersons who had their humbe beginnings, practising at these playgrounds. These two playgrounds are in a pathetic state and have become marshy fields.
In summer, children are trained in hockey and cricket at these playgrounds. The playgrounds are not suitable to hold large tournaments. In the past, organisers of various sports tournaments had repaired the ground in their own expenses.
The PU college ground was developed at a cost of Rs 6 lakh 25 years ago. The then Zilla Parishat president J A Karumbaiah and member N M Rajshekhar had laid the foundation stone stone for its construction work.
Despite spending lakh of rupees, the condition of the ground has not improved so far. The playground has an uneven terreain. Also, the pavillion’s construction is unscientific as it does not prevent sun rays properly.
Though turf laying work was taken up two years ago at the playground, the project has remained incomplete. It has added to the existing problems. Organising taluk- or district-level sports tournaments is almost impossible in this condition.
Moreover, there is no water supply to toilets in the stadium. Also, Garbage is being littered all around, creating an unhygienic atmosphere near the gallery. There are no takers for the gymnasium in the playground and equipment worth lakh of rupees are being wasted. Sportsperson Prashant said the playground needs AstroTurf facility. Also, a state-of-the-art gallery is the need of the hour, he added.
The Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports had forwarded a letter to the Public Works Department for identifying a 10-acre land for the construction of a 400-metre track, long ago. But the work has not yet been initiated so far.
source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> District / DHNS – Somwarpet, August 18th, 2016
