Youth Federation Condemns Privatization of Coimbatore Sports Turfs
The All India Youth Federation (AIYF) has strongly condemned the Coimbatore corporation's recent decision to hand over the operation and maintenance of newly constructed volleyball and basketball turfs to private operators. This move has sparked significant controversy among local students and sports enthusiasts who fear it will limit access to public sports facilities.
Formal Protest Lodged with District Collector
On Monday, members of the AIYF submitted a formal petition to District Collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar, urging him to withdraw the corporation's privatization decision. The petition highlights growing concerns about the commercialization of public sports infrastructure in Coimbatore.
Corporation's Controversial Resolution
The controversy stems from a resolution passed during the corporation's general council meeting on February 11. The resolution authorized the privatization of operation and maintenance for volleyball and basketball turfs constructed on the Kumarasamy lake bund at a cost of Rs 60 lakh. These facilities were intended to provide accessible sports options for the community.
AIYF's Concerns About Accessibility
AIYF District Secretary M Gunasekaran expressed deep concerns about the trend of privatizing sports facilities in Coimbatore. "Sports facilities in the city are being systematically handed over to private entities," he stated. "This creates significant barriers for students and sports enthusiasts who rely on affordable public options."
Gunasekaran pointed to existing examples where public grounds have been compromised:
- VOC Ground and Sastri Ground have been increasingly used for commercial exhibitions rather than sports activities
- Students struggle to find government grounds for practice sessions or leisure activities
- Many private turfs charge exorbitant hourly rates that are unaffordable for most people
Student Disappointment and Future Concerns
The AIYF leader revealed that students had initially welcomed the corporation's announcement about constructing new sports turfs. However, their enthusiasm has turned to disappointment following the decision to privatize their operation. "Students fear they will face prohibitive entry fees that will exclude them from using facilities built with public funds," Gunasekaran explained.
He emphasized a fundamental principle: "Sports should be accessible to people from all walks of life, not just those who can afford private facility fees." The federation argues that public sports infrastructure should remain truly public, serving the entire community rather than becoming revenue-generating assets for private operators.
The AIYF's protest highlights a growing tension between municipal revenue generation strategies and public access to recreational facilities. As Coimbatore develops its sports infrastructure, questions about equitable access and the purpose of public investments in recreational facilities are coming to the forefront of civic discourse.
