Hafiz Marikar in Kandy
Sportsmen in Kandy are lamenting what’s happening at Bogambara Stadium. Today, Bogambara Stadium is like going to a five-star hotel for the Kandy sportsmen. The angry sportsmen and women are planning to organize a picketing, protesting the high ground fee.

In the good old days when the stadium was under the hat of the Kandy Municipal Council, they charged only Rs. 75O.OO for a full day. Today it is said that it is ten times more than early fee.

Bogambara Stadium has helped to produce several top-notch rugger, football, hockey and cricket in the early days, and athletes. Today, clubs and associations are finding it difficult to do their sporting activities at the Bogambara Stadium due to high price.

Is Bogambara Stadium there to promote sports or to make money, this was the question asked by some of the sportsmen. They say, it is not our problem, the stadium is overstaffed. During those days of the Municipal Council there was one officer and handful of labourers. Today, they are overstaffed.

If a club or an association books the ground, they have to play separately for grounds, then for the dressing rooms, to the pavilion etc. which come to a good packet. Even for practices there is a fee.

Due to this, sportsmen over here in Kandy are in an angry mood, as no one is allowed to go for a run or to do their daily exercise. Today the Bogambara Stadium is like a cemetery. Cemeteries are open when there is a funeral. In the same way the Bogambara Stadium is opened when there is a match.

They can’t compare Bogambara Stadium as Sugathadasa Stadium, where Colombo has many grounds for all sports and the stadium is kept for matches. The only public ground in Kandy is the Bogambara Stadium for foodball, rugger, hockey and athletics. Today some of the sports in Kandy are not doing well due to lack of proper grounds.

The sportsmen in Kandy, are to write to the Prime Minister regarding this. Why don’t the Sports Minsiter see to this matter and help the up and coming sportsmen and women.

Today, the pint size playgrounds owned by the Municipal Council is the only place for the young sportsmen to do their sporting activities.

Sports in general moulds the character of an individual. The statement that it improves the health of the participant is a well- accepted fact. In addition to this participation in competitions teaches the participant to accept defeat graciously, sharpens the reflexes and place the individual in situation where correct, quick thinking and judgments prior physical action could bring success in its wake. Developing such qualities not only brings victory in the sports field but also reflects in the individual as habit in this normal daily activity. So, please help sportsmen.