State tells SAI to vacate Mayur Park hostel

THE SPORTS and Youth Welfare Department has asked the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to vacate the sports hostel near Mayur Park where the department has planned to accommodate players of five proposed academies.

THE SPORTS and Youth Welfare Department has asked the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to vacate the sports hostel near Mayur Park where the department has planned to accommodate players of five proposed academies.

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According to sources, the proposed academies relate to shooting, equestrian, marathon, water sports and men’s hockey. Director Sports Sanjay Chaudhary told the Hindustan Times, “We have a big plan to open academies. We would require accommodation for nearly 150 sportspersons and the Mayur Park hostel is quite suitable.”

He said the building belongs to the Sports Department. The academies will be equipped with all kinds of modern facilities. At present, 70 sportspersons of different disciplines and families of six SAI coaches are staying at the hostel, known as SAI Training Centre (STC).

They have been living in the hostel for the last 14 years. According to SAI sources, the Sports Department’s decision will cause hardship to sportspersons living in the hostel and might harm sports activities in the State.
SAI Central Region Director A K Sharma did not divulge the letter in this regard. However, he said the decision came at a time when the session is mid way.

“We have the option to go to Bishenkheri hostel but that would hamper the national camps to be organised in near future. Sportspersons of the respective camps would not get any place for accommodation,” said Sharma.

In the State the SAI has three training centres in Jabalpur, Dhar and Bhopal. Only at the Bhopal centre SAI does not own a building.