Chandigarh Administration ‘terminates’ lease with tennis body

Published on: 15 Sep 2025 at 05:29 PM

Published by: preeti mahajan

The Fact News Service

Chandigarh, September 15

Important stakeholders in the tennis ecosystem of Chandigarh which included Prasang Raheja, a sports lawyer & senior tennis player- who has been bringing to light discrepancies in functioning of Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA); Neeraj Yashpaul, Chandigarh’s No. 1 Men’s Tennis Player; Ajay Yashpaul – Neeraj’s father; Nagendera Saroha , father of India’s number 1 under 16 player Ribhav Saroha and Roshan Lal Saxena, who is a former CLTA coach addressed a media meet in light of cancellation of lease of Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA) by Chandigarh Administration. The main motive of the press meet was to thank and applaud the Chandigarh Administration led by the Hon’ble Governor Punjab & Administrator, UT Chandigarh, and the Chandigarh Sports Department officials for their bold and historic decision to take back control of the Sector-10 Tennis Stadium from CLTA.

Notably Prasang Raheja has been making concerted efforts to highlight lack of transparency, violations of lease terms and corruption by CLTA by accessing information through use of RTI Act. Raheja now feels that the next step should be to investigate all alleged misdeeds of CLTA.

Raheja said, “There is a serious allegation of siphoning of funds under the Chandigarh Academy for Rural Tennis (CHART) scheme which gives rise to a suspicion of money laundering. Moreover, there is evidence of tax evasion & GST violations as CLTA claimed charitable exemptions under 12AA while running commercial activities without a GST number to evade taxes.”

Raheja added, “One of the biggest illegality is construction and operation of a hostel inside the premises of the stadium without Administration’s approval, a grave violation of lease terms.”

He said that there was a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO) violation during the illegal hostel’s operation, and that a minor girl child was subjected to sexual offences, leading to POCSO proceedings.

Prasang Raheja, said further, “Cancellation of CLTA’s lease and the take-over of management of Sec 10 tennis stadium by Chandigarh Sports Department are not merely administrative decisions. In fact, these should also be seen as decisions aimed at exposing money laundering, punishing tax evasion & GST violations, safeguarding children, and restoring development of tennis players in Chandigarh. I request the Administrator (UT) to derecognise CLTA and order a CBI and ED probe into the matter.”

A CBI probe has been demanded into misuse of public assets, illegal hostel, and POCSO-linked culpability while an ED probe – into allegations of money laundering, GST violations, and the alleged siphoning of CHART funds.

The stakeholders also demanded a Forensic Audit – of all CLTA, CHART, cafeteria, and canteen accounts. What’s more, they have called on the Administration to also institute tax investigations – by Income Tax & GST authorities into hidden income and evasion. Last but not the least they have demanded an immediate closure of the illegal hostel, and sub-leasing activities.

Meanwhile voices of support for the Administration’s decision have come in from well-established tennis players.

Neeraj Yashpaul, Chandigarh’s No. 1 Men’s Tennis Player, said, “I strongly support this move, as now under the watchful eye of the Chandigarh Sports Department deserving players will be allowed to train and compete in an environment focused on excellence and fairness.”

Parents of several budding players have also collectively welcomed the decision.

Neeraj’s father Ajay Yashpaul, added, “Despite Neeraj being the city’s No. 1 men’s tennis player, he suffered due to mismanagement and bias in the system. With the Sports Department now taking over the stadium, I finally see hope and genuine opportunities for young athletes.”

Nagendra Saroha, father of India’s U-16 No. 1 player Ribhav Saroha and former CLTA trainee under coach Marco Seruca, added: “This is a long-awaited step. The Sports Department coaches are highly qualified and work tirelessly for their players, unlike the mismanagement we witnessed at CLTA.”

Coach Roshan Lal Saxena, Former CLTA coach, expressed, “As someone who has served at CLTA and personally faced harassment during my tenure, I welcome this decision wholeheartedly. With the Chandigarh Sports Department now directly managing the stadium, I am hopeful for a brighter future for players and coaches.”

The stakeholders reiterated in one voice that they as representatives of the entire tennis fraternity of Chandigarh wish to again thank the Chandigarh Administration under the able guidance of Hon’ble Chandigarh Administrator for this decision that will restore faith in sports governance and again underlined the need for a CBI and ED probe against CLTA management.