Twenty-two-year-old S. Ajay runs in to join a group of footballers practising as goal keepers at the open playground on Arjun Path, a neatly-laid wide concrete road with a tiled footpath for walkers.
A little distance away, a cricket match between two local teams is under way. The scene beyond that is that of middle-aged men playing badminton at a court. A group of senior citizens complete their daily walking routine — eight laps around the spacious playground.
The 800-metre-long tiled footpath on the road serves as a spectators’ gallery, where people plonk themselves to watch sporting tussles between local teams. During the weekend, all roads lead to Arjun Path playground with onlookers struggling to find space to sit on the tiled footpath to watch matches played between local teams.
Named after the indigenously-made Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT) at CVRDE (Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment), the Arjun Path playground is a household name in Avadi.
Residents of adjoining railway localities, which include Annanoor, Thirumullavoyal, Ambattur Old Town and Pattabiram, also use the playground as these localities found around Avadi are thickly-populated but does not have adequate open spaces, especially playgrounds.
“At this playground, we organise football matches between local teams in Ambattur and Avadi, especially during summer. Training camps are also held at the playground to encourage local talent,” says J. Moses David Raj, secretary of the Ambattur-based All India Sports Players Welfare Association (AISPWA).
The origin of the playground can be traced to the setting up of many defence establishments including OCF (Ordnance Clothing Factory), Indian Air Force (IAF), Engine Factory Avadi (EFA) and CRPF’s training centre in the 1960sInitially, the playground was used mainly to test army tanks that were designed by CVRD&E and manufactured at Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF). With the establishment of a spacious testing track at the defence factory premises, the playground lost its prominence and slowly went to seed. Two years ago, following complaints that the playground was being misused by antisocials, the playground was restored. First up, the unruly vegetation that seemed to have taken over the playground was cleared. The sandy Arjun Path was re-laid with cement concrete. Tiled footpath on the stretch were laid and was connected to the playground by the defence ministry. Since then, the playground is bustling with sporting activities including local tournaments, summer sports camps, school sports day functions and inter-district athletic meets.