Low turnout mars sports meet for corporators

HYDERABAD:  The three-day sports meet organised for GHMC corporators evoked a poor response on the one side, while on the other many lamented that it was a sheer waste of public money.

Competitions in ‘Corporators Sports Meet 2023’ are eight disciplines, including cricket, kabaddi, volleyball, carrom, chess, tennikoit, badminton and musical chairs. The civic authorities had planned a grand event, which concludes on Saturday, including a lavish lunch for the participants and guests. However, the turnout was dismal.

According to GHMC deputy commissioner Amberpet circle, K. Venugopal, “cricket matches are being conducted at DRS training centre in Fathullaguda, kabbadi at Uppal playground, volleyball at Quli Qutabsha stadium, badminton at PJR stadium, Chandanagar and while Victory Play Ground is hosting chess, tennikoit, carrom and musical chairs events.”

To the utter shock of MIM corporator of Talab Chanchalam, Sameena Begum, when she reached DRS training centre to take part in cricket, the match was cancelled as there were no participants. At VPG, she noticed only five or six corporators for the competition.

“The planning has been bad and ill-timed. Moreover, with the commencement of Ramadan and many on fast, the turnout will be poor. The organizers should plan in such a way that all of us can join.” Dr Surekha Om Prakash, deputy floor leader for the BJP, fumed over the waste of public money for such events.

“When the situation is grim, and the civic body has failed to curb stray dog menace despite the loss of two lives, and fire mishaps happenings every now and then, where was the need to splurge on a sports event? All BJP corporators had informed earlier that they would not take part in the meet,” she said.

She added that the money could have been spent on the popular GHMC summer camps, which are around the corner, and for the distribution of sports shoes or tracks.