Mumbai's Varsity sports complex rented out, students protest

From - DNA 

The Kalina campus of the Mumbai University was witness to an unusual protest by students on Friday. The students protested by playing cricket, football, and boxing at the Kalina sports complex. They alleged that the complex, which was built for them at a cost of Rs10 crore, has been given out to a private party for running coaching classes for sports.

The complex has a swimming pool, gymnastic club, badminton and basketball court but most of the facilities have not been completed even after seven years of construction. The students said: “Work has not been completed even after seven years but the authorities have rented it out to a private sports club. Varsity charges Rs125 from every student as gymkhana fee but doesn’t provide any sports facility.”

The students also alleged that some management council members and the sports head of a private college, who have a sports club at Wadala, have enrolled children at their club and charge them thousands of rupees but send them to practice at the varsity complex.

Sources confirmed that complex is being used by outsiders through a private gymnastic club. “A gymnastic club was established few years ago for the Commonwealth Games. Many players practiced at the sport complex as there was no place in the city for them to practice. The club still continues to use the premises even today, a year after the CWG. There is nobody to prohibit them from using the complex,” sources told.

Santosh Ghangurde, vice president, Maharashtra Navnirman Vidyarthi Sena (MNVS), who supported the protest, said: “PG students are cribbing for sports facilities but officials don’t pay heed. Instead they have rented the complex to KD Academy for private sports classes.”

Head of Physical Education and sports department, Dr Vasanti Kadhiravan said: “I don’t handle the activities of the sports complex. Please speak to the concerned authorities.” Sports Director, UN Kendre also passed the buck. You should speak to the deputy registrar of the general administration department(GAD).” Deputy Registrar (GAD) Shivaji Suryawanshi was unavailable for comment. VC Rajan Welukar and BCUD director Rajpal Hande were unavailable for comments.