Green grass grows on Khuociezie ground

Authorities plan to construct new gallery at the facility

Our Correspondent
Kohima, Oct. 19 (EMN): Khuociezie local ground, also known as Kohima local ground, has been used to host various events including sports, expo, melas, concerts and parking over the years but months of less activity due to the pandemic has allowed tall green grass to cover the ground in patches.

The playground was used as a pick up point to ferry travellers to different districts and for conducting Covid-19 tests following the outbreak of the pandemic last year.

Some people have complained about the playground not being maintained, as some portions of the space have been covered by grass with no sporting events being held at the venue for almost two years now.

They said that it won’t be possible to conduct sports events on the ground due to the uneven surface.

However, Kohima Village Sports Association (KVSA) committee convenor, Neingusalie Khruomo told Eastern Mirror that the local ground has been used as a multipurpose facility over the years and it was 'illogical for sportspersons or individuals to complain only when the space behind the northern goal post of the ground was converted into a parking lot recently'.

He maintained that the spot has been utilised to ease the traffic at the moment while other parking facilities are expected to come up in the state capital.

As such, Khruomo said that people should be optimistic and support the government in carrying out its work, following which citizens can raise their voices if any project is not completed.

He also opined that one cannot say that the ground has been neglected despite its pitiable condition at the moment as the facility had been used for Covid-related activities, which according to him, was the 'best option for the convenience of the citizens in the district during the pandemic'.

'We have to consider the ground reality and see all the sides behind the reason why grass has sprouted,' he said. However, he said that they 'foresee the space to be developed into an international standard ground in the near future'.

Ground to be levelled

It may be mentioned that Khuociezie is also one of the proposed facilities to be utilised for KVSA Meet 2022 scheduled to be held between January 10 and the 15^th.

Meanwhile, Khruomo informed that they would remove the grass and level the ground if they don't get assistance from the district administration.

'We are planning to clear the ground by November so that players can play at least this year,' he said.

Plan to construct new gallery

Lhoubeizo Kesiyie, president of Angami Sports Association (ASA), informed that they recently met with Kezha Theunuo, Chief Executive Officer of Kohima Smart City Development Limited (KSCDL), on learning that the gallery of the ground would be demolished for renovation.

However, he informed that they had requested the officer to allow them to conduct some of the games during the ASA 50^th Sports Meet 2022, at the facility after KVSA Meet, as they 'don't have any other ground in Kohima to conduct some of its major sports disciplines'.

The chief executive officer of Kohima Smart City Development Limited (KSCDL), Kezha Theunuo, also confirmed to Eastern Mirror that they were planning to dismantle the gallery and reconstruct it in January next year once the project is sanctioned.

However, he informed that the playground would not be affected.

He added that there will be parking lot, shops and a pedestrian footpath below the gallery.

When asked if there is any other plans after the renovation works are completed, he replied that they would try to improve the condition of the playfield after the gallery is reconstructed.

However, proposals for such projects are still "under process," he said, adding that, 'once we get the sanction, necessary formalities would take at least two to three months before initiating the work’.