Mullai Nagar and its love for football is nothing new.
Home to one of north Chennai’s popular football grounds, Mullai Nagar has produced many football player but the artifical turf in this popular playground has worn-out.
It was in 2014 that the Chennai Corporation readied the playground for youngsters in and around Mullai Nagar. The playing conditions was then improved with an astro turf, floodlights and mesh.
Many children and players in the locality practised football at the playgrounds at Mullai Nagar and Samandhipoo Colony that has natural turf.
Over the years, the number of children turning towards football increased. And the damaged turf has not stopped children and youngsters from playing in it.
Residents of Mullai Nagar said that now, at least 250 to 300 children from areas in and around Mullai Nagar such as Sathyamurthy Nagar, M.K.B. Nagar and Kalyanapuram train in football here. The turf had started to wear off in the last six to seven months, they point out.
“It is extremely difficult to play as the turf is badly damaged. They practice during morning and evening hours every day, and for extended hours during the weekends,” said a resident, on condition of anonymity.
A senior football player, a regular, said it was risky to play on a damaged turf as they could get injured. “There is a chance of us slipping and falling while playing. Protecting our knees is crucial, and the risk of injury is high when playing on damaged ground,” he said.
An official of Zone IV of Chennai Corporation said there was a proposal to lay new artificial turf at the football ground. “We have prepared an estimate for taking up the work. We will call for tenders and finalise it soon.”
Published - August 29, 2019 01:42 am IST
