Mysuru City Corporation (MCC) on Friday debated whether to allow the tennis coaching academy to continue to run on its land in Nazarbad near the Government Guest House. Councillors were divided over the issue. A councillor raised objection to raising the rent from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 50,000 a month. The MCC has resolved to give the property on rent for the next 15 years only after the tennis academy clears the outstanding dues (at the rate of Rs. 50,000 per month with 5 per cent rent revision every year since 2009). He said to encourage sports, the rent should be reduced.
Vasu, MLA, said that the MCC should take decisions that boost sporting culture here and its decision should not deter sports. “The academy may produce one talent who excels in the sport at the national and international levels but the credit comes to the city where the talent flourished. Moreover, it is a lung space and let the academy continue,” he said.
The former Mayor Sandesh Swamy said running a tennis academy was not an easy job as it involved a huge expenditure. “It might not be possible for a sports coaching centre to pay the current rent and the MCC should rework the rent amount suitably in the interest of sports.”
One of the responsibilities of the MCC was to establish sporting infrastructure here. When others are doing it on its behalf, the MCC must encourage it appropriately, he said.
Echoing Mr. Swamy’s opinion, BJP councillor Nandeesh Pritam said he has no objection to altering the rent but the premises should not be used for activities other than tennis coaching.
Mayor R. Lingappa, who presided over the meeting, said the rent would be modified appropriately by the committee concerned, and thereafter a proposal would be sent to the government incorporating the revised rent and new clauses.
