Gandhi Maidan that once hosted football matches now a dumpyard

Ooty: The Gandhi Maidan near the ATC bus stop here, from where Mahatma Gandhi had addressed hill residents during his visit in early 1930s, used to be a hot spot sports ground for many decades  but has now lost its sheen as it has almost become a dump-yard.There is no interest from the administration to keep this ground in proper shape.

Raman Raghunath,former secretary of Nilgiris District Football Association, recalled how exciting soccer matches were held in Gandhi Maidan and how the sports event there attracted spectators in large numbers in the past.

Though the sportsmen in the hills have been knocking at the doors of the administration to keep this ground in all its original glory, the officials hardly cared for it.

"Of late, this ground has become a dump-yard of wastes and was made a parking lot.  We appeal to the district administration to make arrangements to allot special funds to develop this ground again to make it a practicing ground for the budding talents in football and also in other games.  It is better, if the ground is handed over to any private sports club for its maintenance and organizing coaching camps," he said.

S. Janardhanan, president of the Ooty Town Public AwarenessAssociation, said it is a pity to note that the Nilgiris districtadministration which used the ground for parking in the summer left it in lurch. “This ground hosted public meetings of stalwarts like former chief ministers MGR and Karunanidhi in the past.

Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations used to be held in this ground in the past.  The silver jubilee of Independence was celebrated in this ground. Due to negligence over its maintenance, this ground is now being used by the anti-social elements in the night hours for all unwanted activities.  The government should to allot special funds to reshape and maintain this ground," he said.