If you have grown up in a city, your first brush with sports was probably at a corporation playground. That was the arena for the Mohalla sports.

Which is why, we are thrilled that the Ahmedabad Municipal corporation (AMC) is constructing the Rs. 600 crNavrangpura sports complex. The AMC is also looking at renovating the Sardar Patel Sports complex with a budget of Rs. 200 cr. These efforts are part of the Government's effort to bid for the 2036 summer Olympics.

Many sports complexes around the country are managed by municipal corporations and the city development authorities. The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is looking to engage an agency under the Private Public Partnership (PPP) model to manage 2 of its sports complexes. GHMC owns 12 sports complexes, 7 swimming pools, 521 play grounds which are functional year round. The city is trying to upgrade its sports infrastructure which is outdated, with many stadiums operating at a financial loss.

The Greater Chennai Corporation has floated a tender to construct volleyball, badminton and indoor boxing courts in North Chennai and Rs. 2 crores has been allocated for the project. On the other hand, a sports complex in Kotivakkam in South Chennai that the GCC built is lying in a state of neglect. This is the story of the grass roots sports in India where sports infrastructure are stadiums and grounds managed by municipalities.

A country that is serious about bidding for Olympics in 2036 should start now and with the municipal sports facilities. A CAG audit is required on the state of municipal sports infrastructure in India and a policy on how to revamp these facilities.