The 14th Internal Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Administrator’s Advisory Council of the Sports Department, U.T., Chandigarh, was held on 22nd April 2026 at the Conference Hall, Sports Complex, Sector 42 under the chairmanship of Sh. Sanjay Tandon. This meeting was attended by Sh. Sorabh Kumar Arora, PCS, Sh. Shiv Singh, Boxing Coach and representatives of 18 Sports Associations of Chandigarh which includes Cricket, Volleyball, Table Tennis, Basket Ball, Boxing, Weightlifting etc.
During the meeting, the Director Sports, Sh. Sorabh Kumar Arora, PCS, presented a comprehensive overview of key initiatives and achievements of the Department. A major highlight was the disbursement of pending cash awards and sports scholarships to meritorious sportspersons. It was briefed that the department has cleared the long pendency of the cash awards and Scholarship amounting to Rs. 20 crores has been disbursed for the year 2023-2024 and additional Rs. 2.5 crores has been disbursed for the year 2024-2025.
It was suggested by Sh. Sanjay Tandon that the department should endeavour to give cash award and scholarship immediately after the completion of the calendar year of sports so that the sportspersons can utilize the amount in time. Further, the game-wise list of beneficiaries was also shared with all sports associations, with an emphasis on encouraging athletes to utilize the financial support constructively.
Director Sports highlighted the infrastructure development projects which were completed by the department during the last financial year which includes International Level Snooker & Billiards Hall, Chess Centres in Sector 8 and Sector 39 and up-gradation of playing field of Cricket Stadium, Sector 16. He also detailed the vision plan of the department with regard to up-gradation of sports infrastructure for the financial year 2026-2027 which includes installation of Astro-Turf in Hockey Stadium, Sector 18, Six-a-side Hockey Ground in Sector 42, Installation of CCTV Cameras in all sports complexes and up-gradation of lighting system of Synthetic Athletic Track, Sector 7 and Cricket Stadium, Sector 16, Chandigarh.
He submitted that this infrastructure up-gradation is in line with the vision of the Hon’ble Administrator to develop Chandigarh as a Sports Hub. These initiatives of Sports Department, U.T., Chandigarh were appreciated by all the members of the Associations present.
Thereafter, all the members of the Sports Associations were given time to discuss about the issues being faced by them and their vision for the development of sports in Chandigarh. The members of the associations expressed their gratitude to Hon’ble Administrator and Chairman, Administrator’s Advisory Council of Sports in fulfilling major demands which were submitted by them to the Hon’ble Administrator during the meeting held by the Hon’ble Administrator with the Sports Associations.
They further appreciated the efforts of the Sports Department, Chandigarh Administration and Administrator’s Advisory Council of Sports for the furtherance of sports in Chandigarh with regard to improvement of infrastructure, filling up of vacant posts of coaches, disbursement of cash award and scholarship to meritorious sportspersons and seamless delivery of various services of sports department to sportspersons.
Members of various Sports Associations also appreciated the proactive vision of the Sports Department and the Advisory Committee in strengthening sports infrastructure and promoting a vibrant sporting culture in the city. Suggestions were put forward to upgrade facilities in line with National and International standards to enable Chandigarh to host premier sporting events.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks and a collective resolve to further strengthen sports infrastructure, policy framework, and collaboration with stakeholders to promote sporting excellence in Chandigarh.