Garbage piled up at Wokha Town Public Ground. (Morung Photo)
Meribeni T Kikon
Wokha | July 25
The Wokha Town Public Ground, the district’s only venue for sports, government events, cultural celebrations and community programs is deteriorating, worrying residents and sports enthusiasts alike.
For local youth, the ground is more than open space: every evening, children and teenagers gather to play football, cricket, and other sports. The rising turnout reflects the community’s deep passion for football and growing interest in athletics. Yet despite its poor condition, the ground remains the sole public facility where athletes can train and compete regularly.
A visit to the ground revealed an uneven playing surface with large bare patches, overgrown weeds, hard soil and poor drainage. During rainfall, several portions of the field become waterlogged, affecting both practice sessions and competitive matches. Even in dry conditions, the uneven surface poses challenges for players.
Apart from the deteriorating playing surface, piles of plastic bottles, food containers, polythene bags and other waste were found accumulated around the gallery area and inside drainage channels surrounding the ground.
Speaking to The Morung Express, Ephyothung, a member of Lierumba and a concerned youth of Wokha district, said maintaining the ground is challenging because it is the only public ground in Wokha where almost every major activity is conducted.
He noted that sporting events, government functions, Independence Day celebrations, Tokhü Emong festivities and other community programmes are all organised at the same venue. As a result, he said, ‘preserving the ground exclusively for sports is difficult.’
While acknowledging the importance of such public events, he suggested that the district could consider developing a separate sports-dedicated ground in the future so that athletes have a facility meant solely for sporting activities while allowing the existing public ground to continue serving community programmes.
Drawing from his experience of participating in various football tournaments, Ephyothung said ‘the uneven kutcha surface often results in players sustaining cuts, bruises and muscle strains after falls during matches.’
He also stressed that improving the ground should not rest with the government alone, adding that the public must also develop a sense of ownership by protecting public property and maintaining cleanliness. Referring to the litter scattered around the premises, he urged visitors to dispose of waste responsibly and help preserve the facility.
Football enthusiast Chenithung Khuvung described the present condition of the ground as “disheartening,” saying Wokha has many talented youngsters who are passionate about football but lack a proper playing facility.
He observed that instead of a well-maintained football field, large portions of the ground are covered with weeds, while poor drainage leaves sections waterlogged after rainfall. According to him, ‘improving the ground would not only provide a better environment for training but also encourage more young people to pursue the sport with confidence.’
Another resident also expressed concern that although sports continue to grow in popularity, the condition of Wokha’s only public ground has seen little improvement over the years. He hoped that better infrastructure would help create more opportunities for local athletes.
Expressing similar sentiments, Imtisungkum, a resident of Wokha Town, said ‘Wokha is known for its warm hospitality, high literacy rate and talented youth, but infrastructure development should also keep pace with the aspirations of its people.’
He said athletes continue to practice and compete despite the uneven and muddy playing surface, often facing unnecessary difficulties during training and tournaments.
The residents urged better upkeep of the Wokha Town Public Ground, including regular maintenance, improved drainage, waste management, and infrastructure upgrades. They also called on the public to use the facility responsibly and help keep it clean.
