By TIOL News Service

MUMBAI, OCT 07, 2024: SAI Sports complex of Kandivali will become a significant sports centre in upcoming Olympic games for Indian athletes, said Piyush Goyal, Hon'ble Commerce and Industry Minister. He was talking at the event of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony between the Government of Maharashtra and the Sports Authority of India.

The MoU has been signed in the august presence of Piyush Goyal. On this occasion, Pravin Darekar, Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Council; Atul Bhatkhalkar, Member of the Maharashtra Assembly; Pandurang Chate, Regional Director, SAI & Vishnu Kant Tiwari, Secretary, SAI were present.

The MoU signing event comes in the wake of Maharashtra cabinet decision dated 30/09/2024 to allocate land at Akurli, Malad and Vadhavan in Kandivali, Mumbai to Sports Authority of India for the establishment of National Centre of Excellence. This decision has paved way for SAI to now develop the land free from any hurdles related to land ownership.

Sports Authority of India plans to develop modern sports infrastructure of international standards at the said land parcel of 37 acres which has been leased for 30 years at the rate of Re. 1 per annum to SAI.

SAI is in the process of finalisation of a Master Plan for the Kandivali campus where in, the proposed infrastructure will include modern AC athlete hostel buildings, central kitchen and dining for athletes, new modern hockey turf of international standards, multipurpose sports hall, high performance sports science centre for injury and rehabilitation etc. which shall require investment upto Rs. 500 Cr, which SAI plans to seek from various sources such as the Government budgetary allocation and CSR.

SAI plans to utilise the 37 Acres land to operate its National Centre of Excellence and regional administrative centre with jurisdiction across the state of Maharashtra, Goa and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu while implementing central govt. schemes such as Khelo India and Fit India.

SAI plans to provide high quality diet and sports training along with sports science support from domain experts to athletes from across the country. Subsequent to the development of infrastructure, it will also provide year-round access to multi-sport facilities for the local aspiring athletes of Maharashtra which includes disciplines like football, athletics, wrestling etc. through its Come and Play scheme.

In his keynote speech, Union Minister Piyush Goyal said that only athletes have rights on this land and no one can take this land from them. He further said that the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is trying to organize the 2036 Olympics in India.

The minister emphasized that sports is an equalizer.

MLA Atul Bhatkhalkar, MLC Pravin Darekar thanked Union Minister Piyush Goyal for his efforts for the MoU between SAI & Maharashtra Government.