Protests Erupt Over PV Sindhu’s Sports Academy Land Allocation in Vizag

The two-acre plot of land was allocated to Sindhu by the previous state government in June 2021 for establishing a badminton academy and sports school. However, the protesters argue that the land should instead be used for a junior college.

Former corporator Ommi Sanyasi Rao, who staged a protest, said an additional 2 acres were supposed to be provided to build a junior college near a high school in the same area. He added that they had requested this to the previous government, which, instead, allocated it to Sindhu. "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 a junior college." he added.

When the initial land allocation was made to Sindhu, the government had attached strict conditions, stating that the land should be not be used for commercial purposes.

Addressing the controversy, Sindhu told Deccan Chronicle, "We are following the rules, I have the proper documents and the land was allotted to me by the state government to build a sports academy. I spoke to the government officials, and they said they will provide a separate land for the junior college." She added that staging a protest when the academy started functioning with proper documents was not fair and that the protesters should settle the issue with the government.