MUMBAI: The playground at MPS Sakharam Tare Marg Municipal School in Dahisar has been excavated for the installation of an artificial Ganesh visarjan tank. This construction has left student-athletes without a training area just days before an important district sports competition. The disruption raises concerns about the preparedness and performance of these young athletes in the upcoming event.
The Mumbai Suburban District sports competition features over 70 disciplines, including football, cricket, basketball, lawn tennis and boxing.
Qualifying earns extra marks in board exams, helping them devote more time to sports,” said Darshana Raut, the school’s physical training teacher. School administrative officer Asmita Kosle said complaints have been lodged. “There is definitely a safety risk to the children.”
“The competition is vital for students. “The pond was excavated without consulting the school.
A similar setup last year took BMC a month to clear, leaving behind a mosquito-infested hazard.
The timing could not be worse for the school’s 2,500 students. Making matters worse, the 9,000 sq ft ground — nestled between two school buildings — was already constrained, with 30% of the area occupied by construction debris from ongoing work on one of the buildings. The upcoming event serves as a gateway for young sports talent, offering long-term opportunities for scholarships, sponsorships and academic incentives.