Youth games over, organisers take back goalposts from Panjab University grounds

Deepankar Sharda

Chandigarh, June 16

Panjab University (PU) football grounds do not have goalposts. Sounds strange, but the two grounds, which hosted the Khelo India Youth Games (KIYG) football matches here, wear a deserted look now.

The organising company of the KIYG has taken back four goalposts, which they had replaced with the old ones citing technical issues, soon after the matches were over here.

On other hand, the Panjab University (PU) authorities are not even bothered to install the old goalposts. For conducting the KIYG league (boys and girls) matches here, the organisers had made special arrangements.

A new ground, right in the middle of the athletics track, was made and matches were held there. Also, the basic necessities were changed at one of the existing football grounds to conduct matches. These changes included changing of goalposts, marking of the ground, sheltered substitution seating bays and others.

However, soon after the tournament got over, the KIYG organising teams uprooted the new goalposts, levelled the area and took back what they had installed.

“They could have left it here only. If the government claims it to be a national-level championship, it could have been used for the betterment of sports. The PU authorities could have used it for future championships,” said a senior official.

“Those goalposts and other equipment were not upto the mark. They were made of light material. We will soon install the old goalposts and other equipment,” said another senior official, seeking anonymity.

Meanwhile, it’s been over two days since the KIYG is over, however, workers are still removing the temporary infrastructure raised to accommodate teams and others.

“We will take over the grounds after completing all the formalities. Workers will clear and clean the entire area,” said Professor Prashant Kumar Gautam, Director, Sports, Panjab University.

PU planning to bid for Khelo India Games

Sources, meanwhile, claimed that the PU is trying to host the Khelo India University Games (KIUG). The first edition of the KIUG was held at Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology, Odisha, whereas the second edition was organised by School of Engineering and Technology, Jain University, Karnataka. Interestingly, till date, only private universities have hosted the KIUG. And, if the PU gets an opportunity, it will be the first state government backed university to host this championship.