The playground of unit-vi high school in Bhubaneswar. picture by Ashwinee Patibibhuti Barik

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 5: The city management group has accepted the sports and youth services department’s proposal to use playgrounds near schools for local communities to promote sports activities among people.

With around 40 major schools in the city under the school and mass education department, the proposal will bring in a sea change in creating awareness among people about sports and related activities.

Sports and youth services secretary Saswat Mishra had raised the issue of lack of space for sports activities for people, especially for children, in view of the vacant space being used for residential and commercial activities.

He had also said a lot of open space remains unused in schools, which can be developed and used by the public.

“With lifestyle related diseases increasing in the society, a regular practice of sports activities, especially among kids, will definitely work as a preventive care for the future generation.

It will also help in identifying talents among the children,” added a senior official of the sports department.

Development commissioner and additional chief secretary Injeti Srinivas, who was presiding over the group meeting, welcomed the proposal. “These places must be developed properly, so that outside school hours the neighbouring communities can use the playground for sports activities,” he said.

“We have a nice playground near the Unit-VI Boys’ High School ground. It is already in use by the nearby people staying in the government quarters and private plots. Other school playgrounds in the city can also replicate our model and encourage youngsters for sports,” said Bhimsen Sahoo of Ganganagar.

School and mass education secretary Usha Padhee said: “The proposal is a nice initiative, but we have many schools exclusive for girls and the land is reserved for girls’ hostels. We will first examine where we can use the playground for the communities. Once a complete examination is over, we can share the playground for better development of sports activities.”

The success of the Hockey India League tournament in the city at Kalinga Stadium has inspired the sports and youth services department to take up new facilities for the community participation in sports.

“We should plan to have more venues for sports promotion to make it a popular pastime among the children as many are glued to television sets which ultimately makes them dull. Regular sports activities will also ensure balanced growth in the children,” said Arabinda Mohanty, a well-known city-based paediatrician.

Diabetes consultant Alok Kanungo said: “India is sitting on a bomb, which would explode anytime as the nation has the highest number of diabetics in the world. Regular sports activities, especially among the pre-teen and teenagers, should be encouraged.”