Shuttlers disappointed over snapping of power supply
Jamshedpur, March 6 : Following snapping of electricity supply to Mohan Ahuja Stadium over pending dues amounting to Rs 52 lakh by Jusco, practice sessions have been disrupted leading to dissatisfaction among shuttlers.
The players on Tuesday assembled at the stadium located near JRD Tata sports complex with a hope of playing under lights were disheartened. Jusco had on Monday snapped power supply at the stadium.
Moreover, clouds of uncertainty are hovering over state and district meets which used to be conducted annually at the trophy venue in Bistupur. A training camp under Indian badminton trainer Sachin Kumar Rana has also been disrupted.
Jusco had on Monday snapped electricity supply to the stadium over pending dues amounting to Rs 52 lakh. Shuttlers, who use the venue for daily practice, assembled this morning in anticipation of playing under lights. Shuttlers expressed anguish over the controversy between Jharkhand Badminton Association and Tata Steel.
� It is really a matter of great concern that players have to face hardships because of the tussle. Sports should be kept away from any controversies. I am passionate about badminton and I am very disappointed,� noted a budding player.
Tata Steel wants the JBA to vacate the stadium lease agreement of which has expired on December 31 last year. The shuttle outfit has requested the steel major to extend the lease keeping in the future of badminton.
In the 1960s, Mohan Ahuja Stadium was leased out to then Bihar Badminton Association for an annual token fee of Re 1. It has been popular venue since and has also been one of the most sought-after addresses for social events. The lease was last renewed in 2012 for five years. Technically, it expired in 2017. However, Tata Steel had written a letter to JBA secretary K. Prabhakar Rao in 2014, asking that the premises be vacated.