Kannada meet at Maharaja College Grounds irks sports lovers

Sports enthusiasts in Mysuru are unhappy with the proposed plan by the District Administration organise the 83rd All India Kannada Sahitya Sammelana at University of Mysore Sports Grounds which includes the football ground, cricket ground and hockey ground. Sports persons have expressed that the infrastructure at the ground was meant for conducting sports activities and not conventions. With the district administration firm on organising the event at the Maharaja College Grounds and other grounds it is bound to spoil the existing infrastructure meant for sports. The University will have to spend huge amount to make these grounds fit for organising sports events again. The authorities instead of organising the event at Maharaja College Grounds can utilise the Bannimantap Grounds, which is left vacant throughout the year except for the torchlight parade and VIP marriages, to organise the mega event. Interestingly, few staff members of Department of Physical Education, UoM, who opposed the handing over of Maharaja College Cricket Ground to KSCA for making turf wickets, the same people are mum over organising the Kannada Sammelana at the ground.