📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Sports
Gujarat Athletes Charged ₹1,500 to Use Synthetic Track Under New Policy
✍️ GujaratSamachar English
🗓 18 Sep 2026, 09:01 PM
👁 8
The Gujarat sports authority announced that athletes will now pay ₹1,500 to access synthetic tracks as part of a newly introduced fee structure.
The Gujarat Sports Authority has introduced a fee of ₹1,500 for athletes wishing to train on state‑run synthetic tracks. The charge, which will be collected at the time of booking, is intended to cover maintenance costs and ensure the facilities remain in good condition.
The policy came into effect from the first week of September and applies to all public synthetic tracks managed by the authority across the state. Athletes can pay the fee online or at the track’s reception desk.
Officials said the amount was calculated after a detailed assessment of upkeep expenses and will help fund periodic resurfacing and equipment upgrades. No additional subsidies were mentioned for junior or amateur athletes.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions; while some athletes appreciate the focus on facility quality, others expressed concern over the added financial burden, especially for those from lower‑income backgrounds.
The policy came into effect from the first week of September and applies to all public synthetic tracks managed by the authority across the state. Athletes can pay the fee online or at the track’s reception desk.
Officials said the amount was calculated after a detailed assessment of upkeep expenses and will help fund periodic resurfacing and equipment upgrades. No additional subsidies were mentioned for junior or amateur athletes.
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions; while some athletes appreciate the focus on facility quality, others expressed concern over the added financial burden, especially for those from lower‑income backgrounds.