As Gujarat aims to host the Olympics in Ahmedabad, Gujarat University (GU) struggles with basic sports facilities. The state government promotes Ahmedabad’s Olympic bid as a sign of its growing sports ambitions. However, many students at GU feel disconnected from this vision.
The university faces serious issues. There is a lack of proper sports facilities, vacant coaching positions, and administrative mismanagement. These problems raise questions about whether grassroots sports investment matches the state’s high-level goals.
Gujarat University has a full-time hockey coach employed for 22 years, yet there is no hockey field. During tournaments, temporary goalposts are set up on the university’s synthetic running track. This makeshift solution highlights the lack of proper infrastructure.
The university’s sports complex has facilities for tennis, badminton, swimming, and chess. However, none of these sports have appointed coaches or trainers. The Director of Sports position has been empty for five years. A senior professor from the cybersecurity department is managing this role as an additional responsibility.
Moreover, the university’s master’s program in physical education has not had permanent teaching staff for over two decades. This program relies solely on visiting faculty, which limits the quality of education.
The disarray in inter-college sports was evident during a recent tournament on July 30–31. Many departments failed to nominate students, forcing them to submit their names individually. A selection committee meeting was held on the morning of the tournament, but several department heads were absent. Some claimed they were not informed, while others said the circular never reached them.
This disconnect between Gujarat’s Olympic aspirations and the reality at GU is concerning. Students are training without coaches, competing without guidance, and entering events without proper communication. The system is falling short of meeting students’ needs.
Until basic infrastructure and support systems improve, Gujarat’s dream of hosting the Olympics may remain just that—a dream. The university must prioritise its sports programs and ensure that students have access to the facilities and guidance they need to succeed. Without these changes, the ambition to host the Olympics may seem hollow to those who are meant to benefit from it most—the students themselves.
In addition to these issues, the recent decision to lease the university’s newly built sports complex to private agencies has sparked controversy. Students and youth organisations are concerned that the administration is prioritising private interests over student access. The Gujarat Pradesh Youth Congress has protested against this move, arguing that despite investments in infrastructure, poor planning has left many facilities underutilised.
The university’s tennis court, swimming pool, and other amenities are reportedly being handed over to private operators. This has led to accusations of financial motivations behind these decisions. Student organisations warn of intensified protests if the administration does not prioritise student access to the sports complex.
The ongoing debate about the privatization of public resources reflects a broader concern regarding the future of sports development in India. As the country strives to host significant sporting events like the Olympics, ensuring that students have access to quality sports education and facilities must remain a priority. The future of sports in Gujarat depends on it.