'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
Images have surfaced on social media which show the pitch of the Paljor Stadium in Sikkim littered with broken alcohol bottles and nails after a recent music concert held on the grounds.
Interestingly, a "No football" sign was also found indicating that there should be no footballing activities until 18 January.
In case you didn't know
On Monday, former Indian captain Bhaichung Bhutia slammed the authorities for using the football arena for non-footballing purposes. He posted images showing the stadium was being prepared for a musical event.
Recently, more images surfaced on social media, which showed that the stadium premises were strewn with broken alcohol bottles and other sharp objects like nails, making it dangerous for athletes.
Cultural programmes were held at the stadium on Monday before Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling felicitated music director AR Rahman, announcing him the brand ambassador of the state tourism.
The heart of the matter
The recent images show that the pitch was left unattended after the concert. There are still bottles lying around the stadium and shattered bottles in the playing area.
Also, the "No Football" board outside the stadium is an indicator for more non-footballing events to be held in the next few days.
What next?
Bhaichung Bhutia was expected to raise this issue with the concerned authorities over the misuse of the pitch meant only for football.
But the recent images show us that the authorities did not pay attention to his words. Whether the issue will escalate to the higher authorities is still to be seen.
Author's take
Despite the amount of criticism about hosting other events which could lead to the destruction of the pitch, the authorities have opted for the easy way of earning money. Ignoring the voice of the state's most beloved figure shows the poor attitude of the authorities at the Paljor Stadium. When facilities for sports other than cricket are so scant in our country, this issue is a proof of the depleting state of the affairs of Indian football.
