Stakeholders applaud Chandigarh UT Administration for reclaiming Sector 10 tennis stadium

Key stakeholders of Chandigarh’s tennis ecosystem, including sports lawyer, senior player Prasang Raheja, and Chandigarh’s No. 1 men’s tennis player Neeraj Yashpaul, along with his father Ajay Yashpaul, Nagendra Saroha, father of India’s U-16 No. 1 player Ribhav Saroha, and former CLTA coach Roshan Lal Saxena, have welcomed the UT Administration’s decision to cancel the lease of the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) and reclaim the Sector-10 Tennis Stadium.

At a press conference here, they hailed the move as a bold and historic step by the Chandigarh Administration, led by the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, UT Chandigarh, and the Sports Department officials. They described it as a long-awaited decision to restore fairness, transparency, and opportunities for budding players.

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Prasang Raheja, who has consistently highlighted alleged irregularities in CLTA’s functioning through RTI disclosures, called for further investigation. “There are serious allegations of siphoning of funds under the Chandigarh Academy for Rural Tennis (CHART) scheme, which raises suspicion of money laundering. Moreover, CLTA claimed charitable exemptions under Section 12AA while conducting commercial activities without a GST number—amounting to tax evasion,” he said.

He further alleged that a hostel was illegally constructed and operated inside the stadium premises without administrative approval, in violation of lease terms. The illegal hostel operation led to a POCSO case, where a minor girl was subjected to sexual offences.

Raheja emphasized: “Lease cancellation is not merely an administrative act. It exposes corruption, safeguards children, and paves the way for genuine development of tennis in Chandigarh. I urge the Administrator to de-recognise CLTA and order a CBI and ED probe.”

The stakeholders collectively demanded a CBI inquiry into the misuse of public assets, illegal hostel, and POCSO-linked culpability; ED investigation into alleged money laundering, GST violations, and siphoning of CHART funds; forensic audit of CLTA, CHART, cafeteria, and canteen accounts; tax investigations by Income Tax and GST authorities, and immediate closure of the illegal hostel and sub-leasing activities.

Neeraj Yashpaul said: “I strongly support this step. Now, under the Sports Department, deserving players can train in an environment built on merit and fairness.”

His father Ajay Yashpaul added: “Despite being Chandigarh’s top player, Neeraj suffered due to bias and mismanagement. With this decision, we finally see hope for young athletes.”

Nagendra Saroha stated: “This was long overdue. Sports Department coaches are qualified and dedicated, unlike the mismanagement at CLTA.” Former CLTA coach Roshan Lal Saxena remarked: “As someone who faced harassment while serving at CLTA, I wholeheartedly welcome this takeover. It gives hope for a brighter future.”