After the criticism on social media Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed all sports facilities under his government to remain open for athletes till 10 pm. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said that the decision will allow athletes and players to practice till late at night.
The order came after a report by The Indian Express which claimed the athletes and coaches were being forced to wrap the training at Delhi government-run Thyagraj Stadium earlier than the usual time. The report, citing the athletes, said that the reason behind the forced wrap-up was Delhi’s principal secretary (revenue) Sanjeev Khirwar’s evening walk with his dog at the facility.
Khirwar dismissed the claims as “absolutely incorrect”, Express reported.
Taking note of the report, deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia tweeted: “News reports have brought to our notice that certain sports facilities are being closed early causing inconvenience to sportsmen who wish to play till late night. CM Arvind Kejriwal has directed that all Delhi govt sports facilities to stay open for sportsmen till 10pm.”
Built for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the Thyagraj Stadium is a centrally located sporting complex and a multi-discipline facility where footballers and athletes from national and state levels train.
The report sparked outrage on social media.
“Imagine the audacity & power these people have. Delhi government has now acted after many months and opened stadium till 10,” wrote a user after the AAP announcement.
While several other Twitter users demanded to ‘Ban The VIP Culture.’
