It has been almost a year since the floodlight installation works at the public football ground in Samdrup Jongkhar started. But the works are still incomplete. This has distressed the football lovers in the district. The searing summer heat usually dissuades football players from playing during the day.
The temperature in the district is rising by the day and the football ground is getting emptier. Only a match is played during the day.
Yeshi Lhendup, a footballer said, “It is very hot out here in Samdrup Jongkhar. So it is difficult to play during the afternoon. If lighting facilities are installed soon it will be convenient for us. We can play during the night also.”
“In hot places like ours, we like playing during the night. But we need the lighting facilities. Work to install lighting is going on, we are not sure when they will complete the works. If they could speed up, we would be grateful,” added Karma, also a footballer.
After failing to complete the floodlight installation works in October last year, the Samdrup Jongkhar Thromde Administration gave a time extension until January this year. Only about 80 per cent of the work is complete for now.
The contractor says the recent lockdown hampered the work. He is currently assembling electric poles and power lines. If everything goes according to his plans, the contractor says the works will be complete by end of this month.
The football ground was laid with artificial turf in 2018.
Kinley Wangchuk, Samdrup Jongkhar
Edited by Sangay Chezom
