Chhapra: With the laying of a 400-metre synthetic track on the sports complex of Jai Prakash University (JPU) here, the long-awaited demand of athletes from Saran, Siwan, and Gopalganj districts have been fulfilled. The track, laid at the expenditure of Rs 6.5 crore, will not only help in organising the All India Inter University Athletics meet, but also other state and national level athletics championships.
Saran district sports officer Shamim Ansari on Sunday said that the synthetic track laid the JPU premises was the third in the state after Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna and Rajgir. "We have requested vice chancellor of the university to depute some security guards to protect the track from buffaloes or other animals until a permanent compound wall is constructed on the ground," Ansari said.
The synthetic track laid by New Delhi-based sports company, is considered a gift to this university. When contacted, vice chancellor Parmendra Kumar Bajpai said that the track was laid under "Khelo India" scheme of the central govt at the expenditure of Rs 6.5 crore. "However, there is neither a pavilion (gallery) for the visitors or a compound wall on the ground. We are trying to get the wall constructed with the help of local public representatives and address security of the track at the earliest," he said.
Meanwhile, several athletes and sports organisers like Mukesh Kumar of Revilganj, Suresh Prasad Singh of Chhapra, and Sanjai Kumar Singh of Mashrakh were happy to have such a track in the town. They said, "This will improve the efficiency of local athletes."