HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Aug 26: Playing badminton in a court with speeding cars zooming right above your head is something few have experienced. Well, such a court now exists right under a flyover in Assam’s Jorhat town.
A badminton court under a flyover is a new concept in the state, though common in big cities in the country. Thanks to the initiative of local businessman, MP Agarwalla, this concept has materialized.
The spaces below flyovers, which are generally turned into vehicle parking areas or simply left open, have been utilised in Jorhat district by building a badminton court.
Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had inaugurated the first flyover of the district on August 16.
“M P Agarwalla donated the synthetic court along with basic amenities under the flyover in the Na-Ali area of the town in memory of his father,” said Diganta Buragohain, secretary of the Assam Badminton Association (ABA).
Posters of star shuttlers of the country, including that of Olympic medalist Saina Nehwal adorn the wall on one side of the court. Chairs have been installed for players, coaches and others, while the sides of the court have been cordoned off with wire nets.
“It was a unique idea to use the public place for a purpose that will benefit the people, especially the youngsters. The Jorhat Badminton Association will be maintaining it,” Buragohain said.
He added that the court will be open for members on payment of stipulated fees and it will start operations soon.
Local sports organisers Raktim Saikia and Tapan Dutta, among others, will be guiding the local players in the unique court.
“The innovative use of space beneath the Railway Over Bridge for a badminton court is a creative way to promote sports and recreational activities. We’re glad to be taking such initiatives that contribute to the #KheloIndia movement,” Himanta Biswa Sarma had recently written on X.
The ABA secretary also said that there are plans to convert more open spaces below the flyover into areas for other sports.
“The other spaces below the flyover are not so big for sports like badminton, etc. However, these can be used for promoting other games, like chess, which don’t require so much space. We are contemplating using them for such other sports,” he said. (With inputs from PTI)
