Does your
For example, a
Shyam R, a
However, it is shocking to see the price increase.
Playing professional sports is becoming an expensive business in the city. For example, a volleyball that used to cost Rs 580 now sells for Rs 760. Shoes now cost 5% more plus hiking in all categories. A cricket bat that previously cost Rs 1,200 is now priced at Rs 1,500. Cricket pads have seen a hike from Rs 1,400 to Rs 1,749.
The government should step in to control prices, otherwise playing sports will become an expensive business and many will be left behind
Chidananda Gowda, student
Nandeesh, who runs a sports store, said: “We are the recipients of customers who question the price hike. However, we are helpless. We saw a big drop in sales during covid and sales are only picking up now. However, rising prices are once again forcing customers out. It’s not just a price hike because some items are very hard to come by.
For example, there is a huge demand for the type four of the
Sports retailers say there are several reasons for the price hike. “Overall, inflation has caught up in all sectors. Due to rising input costs, sporting goods are experiencing a price revision. Rising fuel prices also contributed to the price increase. There has been a high price of metal cost, which explains the high cost of many gym equipment.
Due to the strict confinements in
“It is unfortunate that there is no regulation regarding the price increase of sporting goods. We have seen that whenever the prices of vegetables or cement rise, customers revolt and try to pressure the government to lower taxes or introduce regulations to reduce prices. However, there is no such pressure from sportsmen. In fact during the covid lockdown we saw how essential sports are as many were inside homes affecting people both physically and mentally.
The government should encourage sports to keep people healthy and social. At the same time, the government should intervene to control prices, otherwise playing sports will become an expensive business and many will be left behind,” said student Chidananda Gowda.