Sports Authority of India intervenes after ‘Dil-Luminati’ mess at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is cleaned up following athletes’ outrage

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has announced that the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is ready to host its next event following a rapid cleaning effort after singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Dil-Luminati’ concert left the venue in disorder. . The concert, held over two days and attended by almost 40,000 fans each night, caused a large amount of litter and damage to the facilities, drawing harsh criticism from Delhi athletes who train at the stadium.

Delhi middle distance runner Beant Singh expressed his frustration onlineposting photos and videos showing trash, alcohol containers and damaged sports equipment strewn across the athletics area. In a social media post, Singh wrote: “This is where the athletes train, but here people were drinking alcohol, dancing and partying… The athletics equipment, like the fences, were broken and thrown here and there.” . Singh, who has won multiple national medals, lamented the lack of respect towards athletes and sports infrastructure in India.

SAI responded quickly, sharing images of the clean venue and confirming that the stadium is ready to host an Indian Super League (ISL) football match between Punjab FC and Chennaiyin FC on October 31, 2024. “The main stadium at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium will be in top shape to host the ISL match on October 31. The turf has been restored to match the playing conditions ahead of the Diwali match,” the SAI statement read.

According to SAI, the agreement with the concert organizers included the requirement to return the stadium to its original state and full rental charges were applied for its use and subsequent cleaning. The swift action and cleanup by SAI underscores the importance of balancing public events with the needs of athletes who rely on the stadium for training.

A Delhi coach revealed to PTI that several athletes filed a compensation application with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) after their training equipment, including hurdles and boxes containing starting blocks, shot put, plates and balls, medicinal products, will be damaged.

“Each hurdle race costs between Rs 3,000 and Rs 4,000, and for a 400, 100 or 110 meter hurdle race, you need at least 10 hurdles,” the coach explained, requesting anonymity. “These young athletes have raised their own resources to purchase this equipment and replacing it is not easy for them.”

The coach added that the locks on boxes containing various training equipment were broken, causing further damage. “The athletes have written to the SAI requesting compensation and we will see what comes of it.”

Meanwhile, athletes have been advised not to train inside the stadium until after October 31.