Protests erupt over abrupt closure of Kurnool Outdoor Stadium

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The abrupt closure of the outdoor stadium here on Saturday sparked protests from regular visitors and sportspersons.

Gym users who gathered at the venue in large numbers alleged that the facility was being closed on the orders of the District Sports Development Officer (DSDO). The move instantly drew opposition from youth, retired employees, government staff, police personnel, collectorate employees, and regular morning walkers associations.

The protestors claimed that the gym had remained open to the public for the last several years but was neglected, resulting in damage to the equipment. Despite this, the regular visitors pooled personal funds to repair old and damaged equipment and to purchase new material to keep it running.

The protestors claimed that recently, a couple of rooms were allotted to sportspersons, and the officials tried to vacate the gym and yoga centre as well, forcing them to bring the matter to the notice of Industries Minister T.G. Bharath Gupta.

Responding to their appeal not to bar regular users from the gym, he prompted a letter issued from the Secretariat directing that the gym and yoga centre should not be shifted and the remaining rooms be handed over to the sports and games communities.

Against this backdrop, Saturday’s development triggered agitation among the public groups. They staged a protest in front of the stadium, raising slogans demanding that Minister Bharath Gupta intervene and resolve the issue.

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