Youths play cricket at the Veterinary College grounds in Patna on Monday. Picture by Ashok Sinha

Patna, April 18: The state was supposed to host the CK Naidu Inter-state School Cricket Tournament in January this year. But the School Games Federation of India (SGFI), which organises school-level tournaments, pulled out of it in the last moment. Reason: Lack of stadium and grounds for hosting a tournament of this nature in the city.

The SGFI were looking for four grounds with turf pitches for hosting the tournament. But the state government could provide nothing apart from the Moin-ul-Haq Stadium.

What the national body found out has long been known by sports enthusiasts in Patna. There are hardly any grounds to play, leave alone organising district-level or national tournaments.

The fast disappearing open spaces or grounds that are still available are not maintained at all.

Gandhi Maidan, located in the heart of the capital, is a case in point. Cricket, football and hockey have been forced to retreat in the face of the onslaught by private and government agencies that utilise the greens to organise events like fairs and festivals.

“The government’s proposal to install a 40-ft-high statue of Mahatma Gandhi at the maidan will spoil its charm,” said Alok Pandey, a resident of SP Verma Road.

Pandey, who visits Gandhi Maidan regularly for morning walks, said: “Such constructions will only turn the maidan into a tourist spot. Children, who used to visit the park earlier, would not be able to do so anymore.”

The situation at other open spaces and grounds is the same.

At the Veterinary College grounds near BIT, Patna campus, you can still find youths playing a game of cricket or football. But the ground is so crowded that the batsmen have to think twice before freeing their arms for a square cut lest he hits the goalkeeper of a group playing football nearby.

“It’s not just other people playing on the ground. People learning to drive often come here with their vehicles to practise,” said Saurav Kumar, a resident of Rajabazaar, who often goes to the grounds to play cricket with his friends.

Budding Tendulkars and Dhonis do not like to be interrupted by errant drivers and this often results in altercations.

“Most parks are dedicated to elderly persons. There is no place for youths to hone their skills,” said Mritunjay Tiwari, president, Bihar Players’ Association.

Art culture and youth affairs minister Sukhda Pandey told The Telegraph: “The government is serious about the development of sports. We are trying to construct 100 stadiums all over the state.”