Maharashtra government nod delays urgent repair of MSSA stand

A student from Campion School was injured when the stand collapsed last year

Six months after part of a concrete stand collapsed at the Mumbai Schools Sports Association's (MSSA) football ground in Azad Maidan during an under-16 tournament, the spot continues to lie in ruins, and parents are worried as kids are being allowed to use it.

A student from Campion School was injured when the stand collapsed last year

When mid-day visited the ground during yesterday's under-12 Division-III matches, we discovered that the stand is in the same condition, as it was on July 20, two days after it had collapsed, injuring Campion School student Aarzish Mugaseth. The fact that the ground is used by young sportspersons daily means that many lives continue to be at risk.

What's worse is that MSSA is letting players and parents use the dilapidated stand. "While walking on the stand, if you are not careful, you can easily fall and get injured," said Hetal Dalal, a parent.

Another parent, Purav Chovatia, felt that MSSA should have placed a notice urging people to refrain from sitting on the stand. "If they have a valid reason for not fixing it, they should put up barricades or a notice. The dangerous path should be blocked," he said.

When contacted, MSSA president Fr Jude Rodrigues claimed that they are awaiting a green signal from the government to pull down the stand, and rebuild it. He, however, dodged queries on why they hadn't stopped children from using it, yet. Sebastian Fernandes, the MSSA football secretary, who has been trying to get permission from the state government, said, "We will get the official letter [to repair the stand] soon."

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