Chandigarh, 1 May 2026: A collective of coaches, players, and parents from the Chandigarh tennis ecosystem has raised serious concerns regarding the ongoing governance crisis involving the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association and has formally sought immediate intervention from the Chandigarh Administration.
The stakeholder group, represented by Sports Lawyer Prasang Raheja, has highlighted multiple issues including allegations of financial irregularities, pending recovery proceedings, violations relating to subletting of government premises, and serious governance lapses.
It is further pertinent to note that the lease of the Association was terminated by the Chandigarh Administration in September 2025 on account of multiple violations, inter alia:
• Unauthorized subletting and commercial exploitation of government premises, including running of café and pro shops without approval;
• Construction and operation of hostel facilities without requisite permissions;
• Running of an unauthorized tennis academy in violation of prescribed norms;
• Financial irregularities attracting GST and Income Tax scrutiny;
• Serious concerns including proceedings under POCSO framework, raising grave questions on institutional accountability.
It has also been pointed out that proceedings for de-affiliation of the Association are already underway before the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the All India Tennis Association, underscoring the gravity of the situation.
As a direct consequence of the prevailing governance vacuum:
• Chandigarh is no longer hosting National Ranking Tournaments, severely affecting players’ growth, rankings, and competitive progression;
• While local tournaments conducted by the Sports Department have been successful, national and international competitive exposure remains absent, which is critical for athlete development.
The stakeholders have emphasized that intervention of the All India Tennis Association is essential for restoring Chandigarh’s position in the national tennis calendar.
In view of the above, a formal representation has been submitted urging:
• Immediate constitution of an Ad-hoc Committee to take over tennis administration in Chandigarh;
• Restoration of national tournament structures;
• Alignment with governance reforms under the supervision of Hon’ble Justice (Retd.) Gita Mittal pursuant to directions of the Hon’ble Delhi High Court;
• Strict compliance with the National Sports Code, 2025.
Statement:
“The careers of young athletes cannot be held hostage to administrative failures. Immediate constitution of an Ad-hoc Committee is essential to restore structure, transparency, and opportunity in Chandigarh tennis.”
The stakeholder community has called for urgent and time-bound action to prevent long-term damage to the region’s sporting ecosystem.