Sports Authority of India intervenes after ‘Dil-Luminati’ mess cleared at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium following outrage among athletes

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has announced that the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is ready to host its next event after a rapid cleaning drive after the venue was left in disarray by singer-actor Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Dil-Luminati’ concert. The concert, which lasted two days and was attended by nearly 40,000 fans each night, led to widespread littering and damage to the facilities, drawing sharp criticism from Delhi athletes who train at the stadium.

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

SAI responded immediately, 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. in top form to host the ISL match on October 31. The turf has been restored to its playing condition before the Diwali match,” the SAI statement said.

According to SAI, the agreement with the concert organizers included a requirement to return the stadium to its original condition, and charged full rental costs for its use and subsequent cleaning. The quick action and cleanup by SAI underscore the importance of balancing public events with the needs of athletes who rely on the stadium for training.

A Delhi-based coach revealed to PTI that several athletes have filed a petition with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) for compensation after their training equipment, including hurdles and boxes with starting blocks, shot put, discuses and medicine balls, were damaged.

“Each hurdle costs around Rs 3,000-4,000, and for a 400-metre, 100-metre or 110-metre hurdles race, you need at least 10 hurdles,” the coach explained, requesting anonymity. “These young athletes have pooled 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, leading to further damage. “The athletes have written to SAI asking for compensation, and we will see what comes of it.”

In the meantime, the athletes have been advised not to train in the stadium until after October 31.