Mangaluru: As the game ‘Kabaddi’ has been gaining importance in the recent years, there was a demand to construct indoor Kabaddi stadium in Mangaluru. Hence, the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) has planned to construct an indoor stadium at the Karavali Exhibition Ground located at Lalbagh, which faced stiff opposition from the members of the Mangaluru Citizen Group and Karavali Cricket Friends.
As the indoor Kabaddi stadium will come up on a part of the Karavali Exhibition Grounds, the members of Mangaluru Citizen Group, Karavali Cricket Friends and other locals who use the same place for the morning walk and playing cricket, have been opposing the move of MCC. Hence, a protest against the construction of indoor Kabaddi stadium on Karavali Utsav Ground was held recently. A memorandum opposing the indoor stadium was also submitted to various civic authorities Deputy Commissioner Dr. S Sasikanth Senthil, MCC Commissioner Mohammed Nazeer, Minister for Urban Development and Housing and DK District In-charge Minister U T Khader among others.
Though the officials assured of looking into the matter, the construction of indoor stadium is still going on. Two days ago, a peaceful protest walk was organised inside the Mangala Stadium to reclaim their open space for walking and running within the same ground. Those playing cricket and football on the same ground also joined the protest walk.
After the protest walk, a delegation met the local corporator Jayanthi Achar and submitted a memorandum, demanding shifting of the indoor Kabaddi stadium to another location and save the exhibition ground. Despite opposition from the public, MCC is going ahead with the construction work of indoor Kabaddi stadium.
Kabaddi stadium is the need of the hour: Mayor
Mayor Bhaskar K, when contacted told newskarnataka.com that Kabaddi stadium is the need of the hour with a view to support the local budding Kabaddi talents. “We are not in a position to withdraw the project as MCC has already earmarked Rs 1.35 Crore for the indoor Kabaddi stadium. The proposed project of indoor Kabaddi stadium would not cover the whole exhibition ground. Those who use the ground for the morning walk and playing cricket and football can continue their activities even after the completion of the indoor stadium”, he said.
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