Lucknow sportspersons protest demolition of B.R. Ambedkar stadium

Sportspersons here hit the roads today to register their protest against the decision of Uttar Pradesh Government to convert B. R. Ambedkar stadium into a memorial for the late Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Kanshi Ram.

Lucknow, July 10 : Sportspersons here hit the roads today to register their protest against the decision of Uttar Pradesh Government to convert B. R. Ambedkar stadium into a memorial for the late Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) leader Kanshi Ram.

Protesting sportspersons rued that the government should have made some alternative arrangements for their training, before converting the stadium into a memorial.

"At least they should have informed us a week earlier that they want us to vacate the hostel. They should have at least constructed something new and then started the demolition," said Surya Prakash Singh, a sportsperson.

Several others want the government to cancel the move, saying it would badly affect development of sporting talent in the state.

"I want that there shouldn't be any demolition over here. We come from a place called Indira Nagar. For us, it is a nearest place where we can come and practice rather than go to K.D.C. Babu Stadium. That's why, we don't want any demolition," said Priyanka, a tennis player.

Chief Minister Mayawati decided to convert the multi-million-rupee stadium into a memorial for her mentor, late Kanshi Ram. She herself had inaugurated the stadium in 1994, during her last term as the Chief Minister.

The government ordered all sportspersons in the hostel attached to the stadium to vacate the place and asked the state police to take it over.

The sportspersons have decided to meet Mayawati on the issue.

The stadium houses sports infrastructure worth 200-million rupees, including six tennis courts, two badminton courts, swimming pools and gymnasium.

ANI