Mumbai: Colaba footballers oppose BMC turf plan at Sabina Chandrashekhar ground

A planned makeover of Sabina Chandrashekhar Playground a recreation ground in Colaba has sparked a turf war between the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and local footballers with 20 clubs coaches and players warning that replacing the natural field with artificial turf could price out poorer children increase injury risks and gradually restrict access to a rare public sports spaceA concreted patch at the playground in Colaba PicsAshish RajeWho uses the groundgtgt 20 registered football mandals affiliated with Maharashtrarsquos sports departmentgtgt Local children from the surrounding neighbourhoodsgtgt Students from nearby private schools without playgroundsgtgt Residents claim private schools account for roughly 5060 per cent of usageExisting facilitiesgtgt 1 full football pitchgtgt 2 basketball courtsgtgt Childrenrsquos play areaKey objectionsAccessgtgt Turf requires special shoesgtgt Children currently train barefoot or in basic footwearCostsgtgt Families may not afford medical treatment for injuriesgtgt Players estimate serious injury treatment could cost Rs 2ndash25 lakhMaintenancegtgt No clarity on longterm upkeep responsibilitySpace and controlgtgt Fear that natural play area will shrinkgtgt Upgraded ground may increasingly serve private schoolsWhat BMC proposesgtgt Beautification and infras upgradesgtgt Installation of artificial football turfgtgt Civil utility worksgtgt Clubs say they accept improvements such as lighting fencing toilets and drainage but oppose replacing the natural fieldWhat Athletes saySaurabh Meher National under19 footballer who trained at the groundlsquoWe were never consulted This field works because anyone can play here If injuries on turf cost lakhs who will pay for those children We strongly suspect this development is happening to cater to nearby private schoolsrsquoHaresh Golar coachlsquoThere are concerns about how turf will function during the monsoon On the natural ground matches continue because the soil absorbs water and the grass remains playable That may not be possible with artificial turfrsquoDevendra Tandel community leaderlsquoWe have received information that the upgrade is being carried out through corporate funds used for CSR linked to a relative of MLA Makarand Narwekar who is also related to Assembly Speaker Rahul Narwekar Political representatives approached the BMC for permission which was granted Since this is a civic ground stakeholder meetings must be held to understand what users actually need We have also learned that nearby private schools seeking international status require such facilitiesrsquoAuthorities SpeakAaditya Thackeray Worli MLA and Mumbai Football Association presidentldquoThe stakeholders met me on Saturday and raised concerns My primary objection is to the construction on a natural open space without consulting those directly affected We must ask why an astroturf is needed on a ground that has served the community for years This space has remained natural and its character should be respected In 2012 a swimming pool was proposed here and I opposed it If the project proceeds questions will also be asked about the funding source which is said to involve an NGO linked to leaders from the ruling partyrdquoRahul Narwekar Assembly SpeakerldquoI have been briefed by the BMC about this work For several years the civic body has received complaints from local residents about the lack of amenities The work now underway aims to upgrade facilities for all athletes Globally benchmarked amenities for sports such as football and basketball are being introduced The space available for football and basketball courts will not be compromised At present locals have to pay to access such worldclass facilities including astroturf at Cooperage Ground Here they will be available free of cost Maintenance expenses will be covered through CSR funds just like the development work itself The oppositionrsquos allegations about my familyrsquos influence and involvement are halfbaked and are misleading residentsrdquo