Future of Mangalore Sports in International Level in DC's Hands !


Future of Mangalore Sports in International Level in  DC's Hands !
By Melka Miyar
Pics: Dayanand Kukkaje

Mangalore, Aug 31: India has finished with 50th place in the recently concluded Beijing Olympics, bagging  one gold and two bronze medals. India has shown a slight improvement when compared  to  the last Olympics held in Athens in 2004. The country then had to be satisfied  with only  a silver medal.

But the major  question still remains unanswered. Is  the  performance worthy of a nation that has a population of over a billion people ?

Definitely India has to look far ahead and go a long way when it comes to Olympics. A tiny country like Jamaica which has a population of  about 28 lakhs ( 2.8 million) has finished with 13th place in the Beijing Olympics. Its performance in athletics gained the attention of the entire world. But India, the second largest populated country  with a population of over 104 crores, has returned with a meager  3 medals.

The reason for the failure of Indian sportsmen on  the Olympic level lies at the grass root level. Total negligence and apathy  of the authorities to improve sports amenities to sportsmen finally result  in the country performing very poorly at the Olympics.
















Mangalore has been successful in sending athletes like Vandana Rao, M R Poovamma to the Olympic arena. But this city totally lacks the basic infrastructure to produce an athlete who can compete in the Olympics.

One should be thankful to Dinesh Kunder, who prepared  the ace athlete  Poovamma despite having inadequate  sports facilities  in the city. There are about 3000 qualified coaches in the country. But Dinesh Kunder, in spite of not being  a qualified  athletics coach , has managed  to nurture and train  a great talent like M R Poovamma.

The city produces nearly 10 to 15 national athletes every year. Synthetic track is a must for an athlete who wants to compete in the national and international levels. But the track available at the Mangala Stadium is made of cinder , prepared 25 years ago. This cinder track has more  disadvantages when compared to the synthetic track. The athlete  can suffer from a  shin bone or ankle ligament pain  if he regularly practices on the cinder track. This track is not good for health since it is prepared out of  coal and clay.  Presently the synthetic track facility is available only in Bangalore in Karnataka. But not all  athletes can  afford time and money to go to Bangalore.

Unfortunately  the track at Mangala stadium has not been maintained well since years. No watering has been done  as the water pump is not repaired . Besides, practicing athletes face stiff resistance from daily strollers who use the track for their morning and evening walks..

Nearly Rs 3 crores  is needed to prepare a synthetic track here and it is not a big challenge if the district administration has the will power to do it. According  to Dinesh Kunder, the developments in the sports field in the city have been stopped after the transfer of the then District Commissioner Aravind Shrivastav. The stadium committee, headed by the present District Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao, has been constituted to look after the sports development activities in the district. No meeting has yet been called to discuss about any sports activities since a year. What can be expected from such a district administration which has no time to organize a meeting properly, questions Dinesh Kunder.

If Mangalore has to produce quality athletes the  DC must look into the issue and  take the initiative to review the present status of the city’s Mangala Stadium.

Already, a project has been submitted to the district administration highlighting the urgent  need of a synthetic track. But no positive sign has been shown by the district administration yet. One has reason to feel sad when it comes India’s place in sports at the international level.  We cannot expect anything good in future until the infrastructure is not improved at the base level.

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Comment on this article

  • Ramesh Baliga, mangalore

    Thu, Sep 04 2008

    I agree with you mr.purushotham thats its a shame..but the responsibility lies even with the citizens...we mangloreans rarely fight for a cause

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  • Janet Pereira, Mangalore

    Tue, Sep 02 2008

    Yes. It is saddening to see the present condition of Mangala Stadium. But why do we blame only organisations and government bodies for this? Is it not the responsibility of every Mangalorean to look into the improvement of our own property? If the organisations come front to take over Mangala Stadium to improve its maintenance, are we ready to leave this to them? Wouldn't we oppose this thinking that it will then go into the hands of private properties? like how we are doing now - initially opposing each and every project in Mangalore, i.e. Expansion of airport, MSEZ etc.

    I read an article few months ago, that the Sports Authority of India wanted to take over Mangala Stadium and to improve sports activities like how they run the Kanteerava Stadium in Bangalore, and we Mangaloreans opposed this project? I beleive SAI is still waiting only for the approval of DC to implement this project? Is this true?

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  • Prabha, Mangalore/Dubai

    Mon, Sep 01 2008

    To develop the Mangala Stadium into a modern one what we need is some individuals or organisations with spirited and honest persons in its helm and approach many of the industrial groups now establishing in Mangalore, such as, Infosys, MRPL, Reliance, all real estate developers in Mangalore etc. I think they will surely extend full support as they are now part of Mangalore's new image.

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  • meera lobo, mangalore / bangalore

    Mon, Sep 01 2008

    Mangala stadium should be maintained by the DK Police. With all the "hafta" they collect - surely 25% can go in maintaining this stadium and also they jog, run and sprint on the tracks till they get in shape without having to go to the gym!! Congrats Naveen Shetty for the poster creating awareness - we hope all the Mangaloreans will come forward and do something for the neglected Mangala stadium.

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  • Melanie, Mannagudda/Mangalore - QATAR

    Mon, Sep 01 2008

    Congratulations Poovamma!!! Mr.Dinesh Kunder you are doing a great job, Keep up your good work. Iam sure your work would be rewared a million folds... Mr.Dinesh Kunder, when I read about you, I was amazed, You are such a simple person, down to Earth...yet your work really astonished me. you are great... Take care always & all the best in future!!!!

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  • Purushotham Kamath, Mangalore

    Sun, Aug 31 2008

    This stadium is indeed a natural 'birds nest' of Mangalore. Mangalore's shame due to the negligence of the administrators

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  • Ajay, UK

    Sun, Aug 31 2008

    It is really sad to see the Stadium in this pathetic condition . This proves that the stadium hads been neglected for years considering the fact that the weeds seem to have grown all over.I went there last several years ago to attend the National Athelectics sponsored by Lamina Springs when the stadium used to buzzing with activity. Whatever happened after that seems to be history now. Unfortunately every other sport except cricket in India has been virtually ignored and we all saw the result in the recent olympics.In all other countries every sport gets its due respect and in turn funding. The first thing to be done is to get rid of the moss and weeds and atleast give it a new look.Somebody has to look seriously into the facilities and fund it either from the state or involve private sponsors.

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  • Venu Bhandary, Puttur/Muscat

    Sun, Aug 31 2008

    This can be considered one of the best reports with an effective picture.Keep it up Melka and Dayanand.If the Mangalore municipality could not wake up now,at least to maintain these facilities this will be a big shame on them. To produce a good sportsman the first recognition should be from the parents and scools where this identification should start.If everybody needs their son and daughter to be a Doctor or an Engineer who can become a sportsman? It will take some more years!!!!!!!!!

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  • Cliferd Rodricks, Mangalore

    Sun, Aug 31 2008

    I agree with Mr. Prashanth, we all Manglorean gives lots of comments about politics, and other unwanted topics & things, this really is a future for our generation come forward we can do it.

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  • bob, mangalore/USA

    Sun, Aug 31 2008

    It was realy sad to see Mangala Stadium in such bad condition. We are boasting of so much development and money for all projects- I would consider this a basic. That poster by Navin Shetty says it all- We produced no good leaders since the 70's , only selfish " Nethas ". The leaders liks Srinivas Mallya, Vikunta Baliga, N. Alva and Krishna Shetty in the 1964 - 1968 Assembly did more for South Kanara than the last 30 yrs. I was there when Mangala Stadium was inaugrated, and it was the pride and joy of Mangalore . Now the Government is busy taking care of itself. ALL athletes and people interested in this development should ask for more land and redevelopment of the current Mangala stadium while BJP is still in the Honey moon phase . MLA's of DK- be selfless leaders.

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  • Prashanth, Mangalore

    Sun, Aug 31 2008

    Very sad to see Mangala Stadium in this condition. During my school days I used to go with my friends to play there.I may be unwise but if government / authorised officials are not taking any step to improve the stadium and sports, we public of M'lore can collet 1-2 rupees from each and every Mangalorean and let us develop it.But, money should not go to wrong hands.

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  • Harold D'cunha, Mangalore, India

    Sun, Aug 31 2008

    Dear Mr. Dinesh Kunder. You have contribution to the athletic field is really apprecialble. Wish that under your guidance many athleth from Mangalore will qualify to participate in 2012 Olympics in UK.

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