A stadium void of basic amenities

BANGALORE: Sree Kanteerava Stadium is one of the largest stadiums in Namma Bangalore and has witnessed some of the biggest matches. It is currently used for football matches. The stadium holds 40,000 people. It also includes two outdoor basketball courts and one indoor court where several international matches have been played. The campus also includes Taekwondo training, a rock climbing wall, a running track  and a volleyball court. It is Bangalore’s main sports stadium and several national level teams hold their training sessions here.The stadium is regularly used by the sports enthusiasts for regular practices. Unfortunately the maintenance of the stadium has failed to live up to its standards.Around the entire stadium,  weeds have grown haphazardly. The honey bees here seem to have found homes for themselves as lots of beehives can also be seen here. The conditions of the toilets are so deplorable that anybody would refrain  from using them.A sports-person, on the condition of anonymity said, “I come here for regular practice and the only time when one can see clean toilets is when there is some major event or matches taking place”. The toilets seem to have not been cleaned since a long time. A  board leading the way to the toilets reads “physically challenged toilets” and it conveys the right meaning as the toilets meant for the differently abled are in a bad condition.When it comes to drinking water, the stadium does not offer any such facilities.Another notable aspect of the stadium is the lack of efficiency of the security personnel. It is a well known fact that Bangalore  has been one of the soft targets for terrorist attacks and the vulnerability does not seem to bother the authorities concerned, until the situation reaches its pinnacle and paves way for such unfortunate events to take place since anyone can gain easy access into the stadium premises.One is not asked for an identity card nor a reason for visit. Also, a visit to the administration office shows no employees working. When the stadium authorities were contacted about the woes prevailing in the stadium, they refused to comment about the situation prevailing there.