The deteriorating condition of Azad Maidan was brought to the attention of the sports ministry through a formal communication issued by concerned parents, and it has been alleged that young footballers are being exposed to unsafe playing environments. What had long been regarded as a historic and dependable training venue for school-level athletes is now being described as a neglected sporting zone where both safety and space have been compromised.
It was highlighted in the parents’ letter that the playing surface has been left uneven, sandy, and dotted with loose stones. According to their account, a rise in injuries during routine practice sessions and inter-school matches has been observed, and these incidents have been attributed directly to the poor quality of the ground. It was pointed out by them that maintenance or restoration work has reportedly not been undertaken for nearly ten years under the Mumbai School Sports Association (MSSA).
A response was provided by MSSA president Jude Rodriguez, who stated that the association has been unable to address the issue because its lease over the grounds had expired in 2016. It was explained that without formal authorisation from the government, no structural upgrades or repairs can legally be carried out by the MSSA, even if the need has been widely acknowledged.
Further concerns were raised by a senior coach associated with multiple schools in Colaba. It was reported by him that an inter-school tournament had been shifted abruptly from an astro turf field at the Bandra Kurla Complex to Azad Maidan, where the gravel-ridden pitch led to a spate of avoidable injuries. Students unfamiliar with the rough surface were said to have struggled, and one child was reportedly hospitalised as a result of the abrasions sustained.
It was also conveyed to authorities that a private company has expressed readiness to refurbish the football pitches using Corporate Social Responsibility funds at no financial burden to the association or the government. The proposal was welcomed by Rodriguez, who stated that he hoped the offer would be reviewed positively by the ministry.
Additional challenges linked to shrinking playing space were brought to light. It was revealed that only about two-thirds of the land acquired for the Aqua Line construction had been returned by the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation, resulting in reduced field dimensions. Because of this limitation, nine-a-side matches have been conducted in place of the standard eleven-a-side format, thereby affecting both competitive fixtures and regular practice routines. Spectator stands at the venue were also said to require urgent upgrades.