Wrestlers cleaned Shahu Khasbaug Maidan
Kolhapur : More than 100 wrestlers and wrestling enthusiasts gathered at the iconic Shahu Khasbaug Kusti Maidan early on Sunday, not for a bout but to cut the waist-high grass that has overrun the ground. “The govt allocated Rs 25 crore to restore the theatre and rebuild the podium.
Two years later, while the theatre has been rebuilt, the podium remains damaged,” said Ramesh More , convener of the District Citizens Forum. Wrestlers said the annual wrestling season had begun and the maidan was a key venue for practice sessions and major competitions. The protest was aimed at highlighting the authorities’ apathy towards maintaining the historic wrestling arena, modelled on European arenas built over a century ago. Apart from tall grass and weeds, the protesters found empty liquor bottles, cigarette packets and butter papers used to wrap scented tobacco sold at pan shops. The podium at the maidan was gutted in a fire two years ago, along with the Keshavrao Bhosale Natyagruha. The cause of the fire and how it spread remain unclear. However, the overgrown ground was unfit for use.
Because of the authorities’ negligence,” said a protester, the sport will become extinct. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Kolhapur | Silver Rate in Kolhapur | Bank Holidays in Kolhapur | Public Holidays in Kolhapur Stay updated with the latest Kolhapur news. “The ground is not ready. Where will we practise? The protesters warned that they would stage demonstrations outside the residences of MP Shahu Chhatrapati and city MLA Rajesh Kshirsagar if the ground was not made ready within eight days. Download the TOI App.