Post Diljit Dosanjh concert, beer bottles, litter welcome athletes to JLN stadium

The Diljit Dosanjh concert, held over two days at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, has drawn sharp criticism from athletes who train there. Following the event, they found empty beer bottles littered near the track, garbage scattered throughout and essential training equipment dumped in a corner — conditions that left many athletes frustrated and disappointed.

‘This is the reality of sports in India’

This is the reality of sports in India, Indian sportspersons and stadiums. People drink and dance all night at the place where athletes train. — Beant Singh, 2015 Asian Youth Gold Medallist

The stadium was closed for a few days to allow the event management team to set up lighting and stage equipment for the concert, which attracted large crowds and even caused significant traffic disruptions across the city. However, when athletes returned to resume training on Monday, they were met with a mess they hadn’t anticipated. Some athletes were even forced to clean the track themselves just to begin their workouts, while hurdles equipment was carelessly piled to one side.

Beant Singh, an 800-m runner and 2015 Asian Youth gold medallist, took to social media to express his anger. In a video post on Instagram, Beant shared a footage showing the extent of the litter left on the track by concertgoers.

“This is the reality of sports in India, Indian sportspersons and stadiums. People drink and dance all night at the place where athletes train. Training equipment and hurdles got damaged after they were thrown in a corner,” Beant said.

“Every four years geniuses wake up on social media and ask why India does not do well in the Olympics. Reason that we don’t win is because sportspersons don’t get support or respect. If someone wins, everyone will throng the athlete for social media posts to get quick fame but will never support athletes at the grassroots level,” he added.

Another middle distance runner said the stadium was full of trash. “There were beer bottles on the track. To make the stage, the equipment was piled on to one another. I am sure they are damaged now,” he added.