Sports Authority of India has decided to hike the rent of the stadiums in New Delhi. The purpose is to maintain the cleanliness of the stadiums.
SAI has five centres in the country namely, Shyama Prasad Mookerjee Swimming Pool Complex, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN), and Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range.
The SAI has also introduced fines for the organizers of the national and international-level competitions that take place in these stadiums.
The JLN, primarily an athletics and football venue, is among the most popular sites for hosting non-sports events like music concerts and it earlier cost a relatively low Rs. 4.5 lakh to book its main arena by Indian artistes.
The revised tariffs, notified on 18th September, have hiked the cost of booking to a massive Rs. 25 lakh, which is a relief for international performers who were supposed to pay “around Rs 50 lakh” earlier.
“The main arena of the JLN Stadium will be given on rent for non-sports events on condition that the event organiser ensures proper protection cover (mats/rugs etc.) of the area to be utilised on the Field of Play,” stated the 66-page SAI notification, which is in possession of PTI.
In the case of non-cleaning after any event, the host organization will have to pay 10 percent of per day tariff, and the respective organization will also be blacklisted by the SAI.
The decision of imposing financial penalty came after several athletes have raised the issue of garbage-ridden and damaged venues after non-sporting events take place during their everyday training programs.
According to the revised tariff, the main arena of Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium which was earlier available for Rs 8 lakh for any non-sporting event, will now cost Rs 16 lakh per day and allotment of the arena has also been restricted to five days.
