Pranav Birje | Senior Correspondent
– Public Servant Gopal Shetty Writes to Minister of Sports and Youth Welfare
Borivali: Former North Mumbai MP Gopal Shetty has written a letter to Sports and Youth Welfare Minister Sanjay Bansode expressing concern and surprise over a notice issued by the City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) ordering the removal of the football turf constructed on the playground of Swami Vivekanand Shikshan Seva Sanstha, Plot No. 18 (Sector-5), Ulwe. In the letter, Shetty has urged the government to take appropriate action on the matter.
In his letter, Shetty stated that the CIDCO colony officer has handed a notice to the school demanding the removal of the football turf, which he described as both shocking and distressing. He pointed out that India’s successful Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been actively encouraging students across the country to participate in sports through the Khelo India initiative, which has received an enthusiastic response from both students and parents. As a result of such efforts, India recently secured a total of 106 medals in various competitions at the Olympics—a historic achievement that has filled the nation with pride and boosted the confidence of the sporting community.
In this context, the football turf facility developed by the school students and parents at their own expense should be seen as a positive and progressive initiative. However, CIDCO’s decision to remove the turf appears to go against the spirit of promoting sports and culture and is likely to harm the interests of students. This has understandably sparked resentment among local sports institutions. According to Shetty, such irresponsible actions by certain officials could potentially create serious roadblocks in the development of the sports sector.
Gopal Shetty further noted that there is a widespread expectation that schools will be provided with adequate and modern sports facilities through the government’s CSR funds. However, CIDCO’s obstructive approach is deeply disappointing. He has demanded a prompt investigation into the matter, along with strict action against the concerned officials, and has requested that full details of the investigation and actions taken be shared publicly through the media to prevent similar incidents elsewhere.
Shetty also mentioned in his letter that he has received information suggesting that certain individuals within the school might be colluding with officials to deliberately issue such notices and then pressurize the institution for financial settlements. He has strongly urged a thorough investigation into this angle as well.
In conclusion, Gopal Shetty has appealed to the Minister to issue a directive encouraging all schools to be provided with the necessary facilities for sports and physical education. He emphasized that this is a humble yet urgent request from his side.
Former MP Gopal Shetty Slams CIDCO’s Decision to Remove Football Turf from School Grounds
