Another notice likely for Chandigarh sports complex subletting shop

After shooting a notice to the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) for subletting a tuck shop inside the Sector 10 sports complex without the prior approval, the UT Sports Department is now set to issue a second notice to the association for subleasing another shop at the same arena.

“We (the administration) are in the process of issuing another notice. There’s another shop inside the premises without the prior approval of the UT Sports Department, the actual owner of the complex. The department is unaware if any monetary benefits were made or not by the association,” said a highly placed source in the sports department.

Despite the alleged off-beam subletting of outlets, the sports department is yet to take a call on taking any action against the association for the alleged breach of lease contract. “The tennis stadium is the property of the sports department. The CLTA has explained the position to the sports department,” explained an unofficial statement by an official when asked about the subletting of shops.

The CLTA is among the two elite associations of the city, which run their activities from the land belonging to the UT Administration after paying an annual lease. The department had leased land to the CLTA for Rs 100 per year for 20 years (till 2017), and later revised it to Rs 4.7 lakh (from 2022 for three years). The Union Territory Cricket Association (UTCA) is the second sports body which managed to get an office space on lease at the Sector 16 stadium. The monthly rental was of Rs 300 from 2014 to 2021, until it was reviewed and increased. However, in both leases, the department has the final authority over the land.

While the other associations are at the helm of the department, the subletting of these shops has raised serious concerns over the department’s check on their property.

Notably, the tuck shop at the Sector 10 complex has already been asked to shut down. The lessee is allegedly unaware about the real owner of the complex, but in reality any lease signed between the two parties is bound to go through a proper legal process.

Relief for department

Meanwhile, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has adjourned a matter related to a contempt case filed regarding the last edition of the All India Administrator’s Challenge Football Cup, cancelled last November.

Justice Vinod S Bhardwaj observed, “Learned senior counsel for the review applicant-respondent contends that the petitioner – non applicant is voluntarily choosing not to appear before this Court despite being aware of the pendency of the present review application.”

The matter has been kept in abeyance.

The counsel had contended that the age determination in accordance with other methods, which includes ossification test, bone test and dental test shall be duly put in place for a tournament.

“The players against whom objection is raised would be tested to TW3 after the requisite technology has been brought in at the PGIMER and appropriate steps against any team/player committing an age related fraud in sports shall be taken as per law,” the counsel had argued.

Earlier, on the eve of the start of the tournament, which was scheduled to begin from last year on November 20, on the court orders, the Sports Department had requested authorities at Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, and Government Multi Speciality Hospital, Sector 16, to conduct the test on 340 players (representing 17 teams) at the earliest. However, after exhausting all means, the department failed to conduct the test on all players by November 22 and decided to postpone the meet. In the 20-year history of the tournament, it was for the first time that the meet was postponed as medical tests could not be conducted.

Chandigarh