Team Herald
MAPUSA: The early joggers of Mapusa suffered an early morning shock after they were refused entry into the Peddem Sports Complex as per an order from the Sports Authority of Goa, on Saturday.
It has been learnt that locals have been using the track for their morning and evening walks, jogging.
“We were shocked when we found a security guard posted at the gate of Peddem Sports Complex stopping us from entering the ground which, he said, was as per the order of SAG”, a morning walker said.
It was only after Aldona MLA Glenn Tiklo’s intervention that the matter was sorted out.
Glenn gave an assurance that the complex would be kept open to the locals as they have been using the same right from the beginning.
“I spoke to Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on this issue. The track will be always remain open for public. You cannot stop the locals from entering the complex all of a sudden as also it is health related. You build a walking track and I will take the responsibility that the public will not use the synthetic track”, he said.
“During the National Games we can make alternate option by changing the timings which will be favourable for both”, he added.
A notice board with guidelines for public was immediately put by SAG at the complex mentioning the timing and other specification while using the track.
It may be recalled that Herald had earlier highlighted the issue of improper use of the synthetic track and the damage caused to it by locals.
It was learnt that locals have been using the track for walking and jogging while some even get their children to skate on the surface which has been not only damaging the track but also disturbing athletes’ practice schedules.
