Pune: Used Syringes Found Near Balewadi Stadium Spark Safety And Health Concerns
Pune: Used Syringes Found Near Balewadi Stadium Spark Safety And Health Concerns
Pune, September 4, 2025: The Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, popularly known as Balewadi Stadium, has come under scrutiny after photographs showing piles of empty syringes and used injection waste near its premises went viral on social media.
The images, first shared by X (formerly Twitter) user Satej Gohel, quickly gained traction with over 1.5 lakh views and widespread reactions. Netizens slammed the stadium administration and local police, raising concerns about possible misuse of banned substances and negligence in waste management.
According to reports, athletic trials and training sessions were underway inside the stadium when the syringes were discovered. This has fueled speculation about alleged steroid usage by athletes, sparking debates about doping practices and the safety of young sportspersons training at the facility.
When Pune Pulse raised the issue with Assistant health officer of Pune Municipal Corporation Dr Suryakant Deokar he quickly sent the health department staff at the spot to check as to how syringes were disposed off and by whom and also directed the team to investigate the matter further.
One of the discarded medicines identified from the photos was Mephentermine Sulphate, an anaesthetic drug that is not permitted to be sold over the counter. Users on social media called it a “serious crime” and demanded immediate investigation.
The incident has raised uncomfortable questions about the monitoring of athletes at one of Maharashtra’s premier sports facilities. Citizens are urging the authorities to take swift action to ensure transparency, athlete safety, and accountability in the management of Balewadi Stadium.
