Recently, I filed a formal complaint with Secretary, Youth Services and Sports Department, Administration of UT of Ladakh, Shri Vikram Singh Malik, IAS and the Hon’ble Executive Councillor in LAHDC, Leh for Youth Services and Sports, Shri Tsering Angchuk. In my letters, I drew attention to a serious public grievance regarding the use of Nawang Dorjay Stobdan (NDS) Indoor Stadium, a government-owned public sports stadium, for private events and activities unrelated to sports. This has caused inconvenience and been a hindrance to sportspersons who use the stadium regularly for practice and training, especially handball and badminton.
My letter was sparked by a series of non-sports events being hosted inside the stadium. This included the Ladakh dPal rNgam Duston celebrations for which the stadium was shut for two days. This was followed by the stadium being shut from 13 to 15 August for an event related to Independence Day for which metal poles were installed in the stadium for tents. The installation of these metal poles caused irrevocable damage to the professional-grade mats that have been used for the courts at the stadium. This has compromised the safety and quality of the infrastructure for sports activities.
Furthermore, the indoor stadium was then handed over to Ladakh Marathon for 21 days for use to conduct various back-end activities. The use of this specific space is not a necessity for conducting the marathon and an alternate space could easily have been allotted for this activity. The allotment of NDS indoor stadium for backend activities for Ladakh Marathon will further hinder the players and athletes from accessing this public infrastructure.
I personally use this stadium on a regular basis for badminton along with a number of others who pursue this sport for leisure as well as a potential career. In addition, handball coaching takes place at the stadium every morning for school students. The repeated closure of the stadium and the damage that is caused to its facilities not only undermines the quality of the infrastructure but also deprives sportspersons of the opportunity to practice and pursue these disciplines.
Thus, in my letter I requested the secretary to intervene and ensure that no non-sports events or activities are allowed in the stadium to preserve its primary purpose for sports and training. I also asked that the stadium’s infrastructure be protected from damage caused by non-sports events. Finally, I requested him to prioritise sportspersons and players who regularly use the stadium for practice and training. I also requested him to cancel the permit for the private event and to provide the organisers with an alternative space for their activities.
In response to my letter, a meeting was held with the organisers of Ladakh Marathon in the presence of various government officials on 16 August at the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Leh. In light of the arguments and objections raised, the stadium was made accessible until 20 August. After this, the organisers of Ladakh Marathon will be allowed to use NDS until 11 September as the event and venue details have already been publicised with more than 6,000 registrants from Ladakh, India and abroad. However, the administration has agreed to the request that such events are not held at NDS indoor stadium in the future. Unfortunately, this is a not a new trend. In the past, similar events have been organised at various sporting facilities ranging from exhibitions to electioneering. However, given the importance that is being attached to promoting sports and healthy lifestyles, it is ironic the sports infrastructure continues to be used for non-sport activities. I sincerely hope that the Administration of UT of Ladakh ensures that sports infrastructure in the region is only used for sports-related activities and remain accessible throughout the year.
Photographs and text by Smanla Dorje Nurboo
Smanla Dorje Nurboo is Councillor from Saspol in LAHDC, Leh