Srinagar: The biggest Sports Stadium of J&K, Bakshi Stadium Srinagar which was re-opened after massive renovation work of around Rs 50 crores in 2022 by LG J&K Manoj Sinha is being fast turned from “FIFA” approved football stadium to cricket facility with J&K Sports Council with backing from Sports Ministry J&K sanctioning a month long cricket event for Private Radio station in Bakshi Stadium.
After the massive renovation undertaken that cost around Rs 50 crores , Bakshi Stadium has been mostly underutilized with J&K Sports Council as well as J&K Football Association failing to hold major football events at the stadium.
On August 5, 2022, LG J&K Manoj Sinha had dedicated the renovated stadium to youth of J&K and terming it major milestone in the history of J&K sports. At that time it was highlighted as FIFA approved facility, with the hope to host major National Football matches in future.
The stadium had gone restoration works since 2016 after being damaged in the 2014 floods. The administration at the time of opening had claimed that the football stadium has been rebuilt according to FIFA standards.
“For the youth of Kashmir, Bakshi Stadium has always been a place of dreams for the youth who made it so big in the sport. The upgraded and renovated stadium is handed over to those who love the sport. It was PM Narendra Modi, who had given clear orders that this stadium should be made according to FIFA standards,” the LG had said on the occasion.
“I am happy that with a cost of 50 crores, we are handing over the stadium to the youth of valley. I am thankful to Sports Council, and everyone associated. I am hopeful that the youth from Jammu and Kashmir will make India proud. Jammu and Kashmir is becoming a hub of sports,” he had added.
Historically and Technically Bakshi Stadium central field has always been Football playing turf while as surroundings have been athletic track and as internal building facility used by various sports disciplines. Bakshi Stadium has hosted some of the historic and memorable football matches over the years and is now only one of the two Grass Turf football fields in entire Srinagar District.
Even the Central Ministry had sanctioned renovation on the basis of it being Football stadium with athletics. However latest events give indication that J&K Sports Council is in no mood to bring back Bakshi Stadium into its old glory and is doing everything to turn it into Cricket stadium.
During last year’s Legends league T20, J&K Government had made it clear that it will be one off event as the facility is exclusive for football and will not be turned into cricket facility.
However, all those assurances have turned false with reports and notice issued by J&K Cricket Association suggesting that J&K Sports Council has already sanctioned Bakshi Stadium for the one month T20 league conducted by non sports organization Radio FM station.
Pressure from Minister
Sources said that J&K Sports Council has got pressure from Sports Ministry J&K that Radio Station should be allowed to conduct cricket event in the Bakshi Stadium which will be broadcast live on Facebook and Youtube channels.
“J&K Sports Council had initially rejected the application from the Red FM as it was clear that stadium is meant for football. Infact Council made it clear that, it will open flood gates as more and more organizers will want to hold cricket matches in Bakshi Stadium. However, J&K Sports Council, had to approve as the private organizers got sanction from sports Minister,” Sports Council official on condition of anonymity said.
The organizers of the league have started preparations with the event involving huge match fees and sponsorship amount.
JKCA allows players for league with Venue as Bakshi Stadium
J&K Cricket Association on Friday issued notice of recognizing the Red Premier League Season 2 , allowing its players for the participation in the tournament. The notice issued by JKCA clearly mentions venue as Bakshi Stadium as the Organizers in its application had mentioned the venue as Bakshi Stadium. With this notice it is clear that Stadium has been approved as venue for the league.
Why Bakshi Stadium?, Have Other Cricket Venues in City
Even if Sports Minister wanted to sanction any Sports Council owned facility to FM Radio for the cricket event, it could have sanctioned any of the facilities it owns across Srinagar city. Why did it sanction specifically only Bakshi Stadium puzzles one and all. There is already big cricket league going on at TRC Stadium, There is big Gani Memorial Stadium facility in the heart of old city, there is Radapora stadium which all have top level Cricket facilities with lights.
The use and sanction of Bakshi Stadium, puzzles one and all as it seems that Authorities have intention to turn stadium into cricket facility otherwise they would have easily diverted organizers to approved cricket facilities. They have previously organized Legends League T20 in the stadium (The first ever Major cricket event in Bakshi Stadium). The event paved way for this upcoming league and will certainly make it new normal in coming time.
Why no football matches in Stadium even after massive renovation
Even after undergoing massive renovation that costed around Rs 50 crores, Bakshi Stadium has failed to host any major football events since. Sports Council official said that I-League Broadcaster didn’t approve stadium turf (particularly grass color) for the Real Kashmir FC matches. Since then J&K Sports Council has done nothing to sort out issue so that to improve the conditions.
Cricket in India is big money spinning sport, J&K Cricket Association can make 10’s of such stadiums on its own but for footballers , this is the only facility and if turned into Cricket facility, it will be asset lost for one and all. From Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah to Dr Farooq Abdullah to Omar Abdullah, all the Chief Ministers have witnessed football in Bakshi Stadium. That all will be history and only in historic pictures if, the situation isn’t rectified immediately.