Why should we pay to represent state, ask athletes as Bengaluru Kanteerava stadium mandates entry fee

Time of India

5 days ago

Bengaluru: Just weeks after thousands of young fans were inspired to take up athletics after witnessing World Champion Neeraj Chopra who was in action here, the Sree Kanteerava Stadium is back in focus with athletes and coaches raising objection to the department of youth empowerment and sports (DYES)'s decision to collect entry fee.
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They have been using the facility for training sessions for free till now.
"Instead of promoting youngsters who make an effort to undergo rigorous training to win laurels for the state, the govt is trying to make it difficult for them. The Sree Kanteerava Stadium is a govt facility and it's unfair to ask the state or national or international athletes to pay Rs 300 per month or Rs 3,000 per year to train there," a coach, who conducts training sessions at the venue, told TOI.
According to coaches, many students have stopped training at the stadium as they don't want to pay the newly introduced fee. "There are a lot of underprivileged kids who come to train at the stadium and it's a big setback for them. The officials are saying they will waive off the entry fee for deserving candidates but not everyone will be having the BPL cards," they said, adding: "What was more shocking was that DYES even asked the coaches to pay an entry fee.
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As per the decision taken by the DYES and the Stadium Management Committee, the trainees aged below 16/above 60 and top athletes should pay Rs 300 per month or Rs 3,000 per year. And for those who are above 16 years and below 60, the entry fee is Rs 600 per month and Rs 6,000 per year. The department will charge another Rs 50 as ID card fee. For one day, the entry is Rs 30, states the application form for the ID card, of which TOI has a copy.
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The coaches also wondered why the DYES is still restricting access to the field area. "We are forced to pay the entry fee but are allowed to use only the track. The field area is still out of bounds for us. From the hurdles to the starting blocks, the coaches themselves are getting equipment to train the athletes and yet, they are charging an entry fee. From this week, they have made it very strict at the entry gate. It's high time the govt reviewed the decision," they said.
Meanwhile, DYES officials said they will ensure that not a single child who wants to train but is not able to pay the fee will be left out. "We will ensure that all the deserving kids who can't bear the fee will be allowed to train on a case-to-case basis. We have introduced a nominal fee just to streamline the system as there were a lot of coaches who were using the facility and taking hefty fees from their wards," they said.
When asked about the decision to charge entry fee from state, national and international athletes, they said: "We are open to feedback from athletes and coaches and if needed, we can look into their grievances as we have just introduced this new measure."
Inset
HOW MUCH TO PAY
Below 16/above 60 years/state/national/international athlete-- Rs 300 per month-Rs 3,000 per year
Above 16/below 60 years -- Rs 600 per month-Rs 6,000 per year
Source: The department of youth empowerment and sports