West Singhbhum’s Singhbhum Sports Association ground has been unsealed, resolving the recent impasse. This allowed athletes to resume their training and express their relief.
The ground was sealed on Tuesday under the National Sports Development Code of India 2011, following orders from Deputy Commissioner Chandan Kumar. The operation involved Sub-Divisional Officer Sandeep Anurag Toppo, Sub-Divisional Police Officer Bahaman Tuti, Circle Officer Upendra Kumar, and Sports Officer Harsh Kumar.
When players arrived for their daily practice on Wednesday, they found the ground locked and sealed, leading to frustration. They highlighted the lack of alternative training facilities in the city and criticized the decision to seal the entire ground instead of the association’s office. Concerns were also raised by players preparing for the upcoming Home Guard recruitment.
The matter was brought to the attention of Singhbhum Sports Association General Secretary and former MLA Mithilesh Kumar Thakur. He intervened by contacting the Deputy Commissioner and advocating for the ground to be reopened, acknowledging the players’ concerns. The Deputy Commissioner subsequently instructed the Sub-Divisional Officer to unlock the ground.
The ground was quickly opened to players after the order, and the Sub-Divisional Officer announced a meeting scheduled for June 14 to address all related issues.