Youth hostel – dilapidated condition of youth hostel near MGR stadiumdamaged tiles – damaged tiles in swimming pool – need maintenance
Youth hostel – dilapidated condition of youth hostel near MGR stadiumdamaged tiles – damaged tiles in swimming pool – need maintenance Youth hostel – dilapidated condition of youth hostel near MGR stadiumdamaged tiles – damaged tiles in swimming pool – need maintenance Youth hostel – dilapidated condition of youth hostel near MGR stadiumdamaged tiles – damaged tiles in swimming pool – need maintenance Youth hostel – dilapidated condition of youth hostel near MGR stadiumdamaged tiles – damaged tiles in swimming pool – need maintenance Madurai : Even as Tamil Nadu pushes its Dream Olympics 2036 programme to produce medal winners, aspiring athletes from Madurai and neighbouring districts are training at a stadium with dead floodlights, filthy toilets, changing rooms without latches and inadequate drinking water. ” The MGR Racecourse Stadium, maintained by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), hosts nearly 200 competitions a year. Its attached sports hostel houses around 140 students, who also depend on its training facilities. On Oct 17, police recovered seven used syringes from the stadium washrooms and registered a case at Tallakulam police station.
Security is another concern. Athletes say outsiders enter the complex at night and misuse the premises.
Because the doors lack latches, visiting athletes say they have to ask friends to stand guard outside changing rooms.
“There should be separate toilets for players, officials and the public,” said an athlete. Others change inside the few toilets available, where poor cleaning, clogged drains and sewage make them difficult to use. The toilet complex near the swimming pool is often the only option for visiting officials, prompting demands for additional blocks.
The 400-metre synthetic track is also poorly maintained, despite an ₹8.5-crore upgrade of the track and football ground last year. SDAT says it now supplies seven tanks of 1,000 litres each and has sought another corporation connection. An SDAT official said the pool tiles and old toilets would be repaired, with the remaining work to be completed by Febr or March 2027.
However, government records show a ₹9.68-lakh tender for pool tiles, sump roof and handrails was published only on Oct 31, with bids due to open on Nov 16. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Madurai | Silver Rate in Madurai | Bank Holidays in Madurai | Public Holidays in Madurai | Madurai AQI | Weather in Madurai | Petrol Price in Madurai | Diesel Price in Madurai | CNG Price in Madurai | LPG Price in Madurai Stay updated with the latest Madurai news.
Uncovered spaces for throwing and other field events become unusable even after brief showers,” said another athlete, who requested anonymity. The official said pool repairs could begin this month, though the tender is still at the bidding stage. The substances involved are under investigation. “During rains, water accumulates around training areas, turning approach routes muddy and disrupting practice. In the swimming pool, broken tiles have reportedly cut trainees, raising questions about safety checks. Authorities have acknowledged that the damaged flooring needs repair. Non-functional floodlights on the athletics ground force training to end at sunset, restricting practice hours for athletes who travel long distances and must finish before dark. The hockey arena within the complex has floodlighting. Drinking water has largely depended on a tank near the entrance, refilled intermittently. At a government-organised school athletics meet in October, students collapsed on the track amid complaints that only one or two drums of water were available. Download the TOI App.