Badminton star PV Sindhu finds herself at the centre of a controversy over land allocated to her for building a sports academy in Visakhapatnam as per Deccan Chronicle. Locals have voiced strong opposition to the government’s decision to allot this specific plot for the academy, instead demanding it be used for a junior college that they have been seeking for years.
Locals demand junior college
The two-acre land in question is located in the Thotagaruvu area of Visakhapatnam. Initially allotted to PV Sindhu in June 2021 by the previous YSRC government, the land was designated for a badminton academy and sports school, aiming to bolster youth engagement in sports. However, local residents argue that the site should be prioritised for educational development rather than sports facilities.
Protests erupted on Tuesday, with community members standing firm in their stance that the plot should host a junior college instead. Former corporator Ommi Sanyasi Rao, representing local sentiment, remarked, “We are not against providing land to the player, but it could be allotted elsewhere so that this area near the existing high school can be used for the college.”
Conditions attached to land allotment
The land allocation for Sindhu’s academy came with specific conditions. According to the government order, the land granted could be used strictly for academy purposes, prohibiting any commercial activity. The transfer of the land to the sports and youth affairs department was subject to compliance with several requirements, including providing academy registration certificates and submitting three years of income tax returns.
Additionally, the allocation came after a land transfer from the animal husbandry department in the Chinagadili mandal of Visakhapatnam under specific survey numbers.
The previous administration’s decision aimed to support Sindhu’s ambitions to foster a strong sports culture in the area, but it overlooked the existing community demand for educational infrastructure.
PV Sindhu and Government response awaited
As the controversy gains traction, both the current government and PV Sindhu’s representatives are expected to address the local concerns. While Sindhu’s plans aim to contribute to youth sports, residents argue that a junior college would serve a broader community need. How the government and Sindhu respond could shape the outcome, balancing the region’s educational and sporting interests.
