North Chennai fails to bat for cricket
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Even as south and central Chennai constituencies are dotted with public playgrounds, cricket-lovers in densely populated north Chennai are left with very little play area.
Moreover, the total ban of cricket along the Marina beach was the last nail on the coffin. The existing playgrounds either lack space or are too congested for the large number of youngsters to play their favourite sport.
“There are two playgrounds in the locality on either side of the burial ground. We have no other option but to play amidst the graves. Almost every six lands in the cemetery and we have got used to it,” quipped S. James, a regular visitor to the Moolakothalam corporation playground.
“Many of my friends from the neighbouring areas come to Moolakothalam playground every weekend as there are not too many grounds nearby,” he added.
“There are hardly 5-6 grounds in Royapuram and neighbouring Kasimedu, Tiruvotriyur and Old Washermenpet areas. Hundreds of youth are forced to play cricket on the streets as the existing ground in the locality can’t accommodate the crowd. We find it difficult to play on the streets as the residents complain to the police who seize our kits,” said Vivek, an engineering student and resident of Royapuram.
“As playgrounds are the only means of recreation, the corporation must provide more playgrounds for us,” he appealed.
“A playground is a place where life’s most important lessons are learnt. In fact, sport helps prevent a person from going astray. The state must take steps to promote talent in north Chennai by setting up playgrounds, as there are more sportsmen here than in any other part of Chennai,” urged Mr Umapathy, chief coach, slum children sports talent and education development society.
However, repeated attempts by this correspondent to contact corporation officials for comments proved futile.
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