Ahmedabad: Gujarat University‘s decision to lease its newly built, multi-crore sports complex to private agencies has stirred controversy. Students and youth organizations allege that the university’s administration is prioritizing private entities over student access, raising concerns amidst India’s aspirations to host the 2036 Olympics.
The Gujarat Pradesh Youth Congress recently staged protests and submitted a memorandum opposing the move. They argue that despite significant investments to create state-of-the-art sports facilities, poor planning has left several courts and amenities underutilized. Instead of providing full access to students, the administration has reportedly begun handing over facilities like the tennis court, swimming pool, archery range, shooting range, and synthetic track to private operators.
The recent inauguration of the tennis court by a private agency drew sharp criticism, triggering protests led by students and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI). Protesters accuse the administration of financial motivations or favoritism in these handovers.
The Youth Congress and NSUI have warned of intensified demonstrations if the university fails to prioritize student interests. They demand immediate action to ensure that students from affiliated colleges are given primary access to the sports complex.
This controversy highlights a growing debate on the privatization of public resources, especially those developed with the intent of fostering sports and youth development in India.
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