Srinagar, July 15: The day when all sporting events had to stop at dusk is long gone. Sports in Jammu and Kashmir have a new lease of life because of the installation of high-tech floodlights in stadiums.
The first outdoor sports venue in J&K to have floodlights installed was TRC Turf Stadium Srinagar in 2019.
Floodlights have been placed at around 41 stadiums and playfields throughout J&K, including remote regions like Kupwara, Bandipora, Reasi, and Poonch, during the past four to five years by the J&K Administration through the J&K Sports Council.
There are now nine additional sites where work is being done on installing the high-end lights, bringing the total number of facilities with floodlights to 50.
The night activities, notably in cricket and football, are growing in popularity among the local youth given that nearly all prestigious stadiums and playing fields are outfitted with a night playing facility.
Numerous people attend competitions on a regular basis to experience sports under the lights.
Some of the most well-known night football matches have taken place on the TRC grass, while night football matches are always celebrated in the North Kashmir Khushaal Stadium in Sopore.
The SK Stadium in Bandipora is evolving as a centre for sporting events, with nighttime competitions becoming commonplace. Evening activities fill the stadium to capacity, as has also been the case in Kupwara Stadium.
Due to the fact that practically all prominent stadiums and playing fields are equipped with a night playing facility, night activities, particularly in cricket and football, are becoming more and more popular among the local young.
Many individuals frequently go to the tournaments to see the sports beneath the lights.
The TRC turf has hosted some of the most well-known night football games, while night football games are regularly held in the North Kashmir Khushaal Stadium in Sopore.
As a venue for athletic events, Bandipora’s SK Stadium is developing, with evening tournaments becoming prevalent. Like at Kupwara Stadium, the stadium is completely packed for evening events.
In Kulgam, Sports Stadium Kulgam, Sports Stadium Qaimoh have been equipped with lighting facilities while as in District Sports Stadium at Gogo Rangreth and Sports Stadium Budgam are equipped with lighting facilities.
In Baramulla, Sports Stadium and Sports Stadium Tulibal Sopore are getting equipped with floodlights while in District Kupwara BHSS Kupwara has been equipped with a lighting facility for night events.
In District Shopian, Sports Stadium while in District Anantnag, Playfield at Seer Hamdan and Sports Stadium, Mehandi Kadal have got the night facility.
In District Ganderbal, Madri Meharban Stadium and playfield Kangan have been equipped with a lighting facility.
In Jammu province around 22 facilities have been equipped or being equipped with lighting facility so that all round sports activity is possible.
In Jammu District, playfield Hiranagar, Playing field Palma Akhnoor, Greenfield Gandhi Nagar, Sports Stadium R.S Pura, Playing field K K Hakku, M.A Stadium, Parade ground Jammu, Playing field Shashtri Nagar, Synthetic Hockey field K.K Hakku Jammu and Mini Stadium Parade have got the lighting facility for night sports activities.
In Kathua, Sports Stadium Kathua while in District Rajouri, Sports Stadium Rajouri, Playing field Nowshera, Playing field Kalakote, Playing field Lamberi, Sports Stadium Rajouri, Sports Stadium, Darhal Sports Stadium Manjakote and Sports Stadium, Peeri Rajouri have been equipped with the lighting facilities respectively.
In District Reasi, Sports Stadium Reasi and in District Poonch, Sports Stadium Poonch have been illuminated to make possible at night. The availability of lighting facilities in stadiums has instilled new life into the sports in J&K with both sportspersons and fans loving the new atmosphere.
