The ground in South Delhi’s Maidan Garhi, once projected as the country’s first dedicated rugby stadium, is now a picture of neglect. The players claim that in 2019, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) allotted 3.25 acres of land for the construction of a modern rugby stadium. However, not even six years later, wickets, flat grass pitches and even basic facilities such as drinking water or toilets are missing.
Players and coaches say after a long wait, they learned the proposed stadium site had been turned into a park and opened to the public.
RUGBY INTERNATIONAL: FULL NEWS
According to them, information obtained through the Right to Information (RTI) Act has confirmed that the site is now officially open to the public. Previously, players were prevented from training due to the DDA’s “no ball games in parks” policy.
Former Indian rugby captain and coach Gautam Dagar said:
“Before, we were prevented from playing because ball games were not allowed in the parks. After several requests, we received verbal permission, but nothing was given in writing. Now, even on paper, it is no longer a stadium.”
He explained that rugby is a high-contact sport that requires soft grass to reduce the risk of injury.
“The uneven and hard surface is dangerous for players,” he said.
NO WATER, TOILET AND BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE
The players also highlighted their daily struggles.
One player said there were no toilets on the ground, forcing the players to use nearby bushes. Players are forced to train without water and toilets (Courtesy: Anmol Nath Bali/India Today)
“It’s not only unsanitary, it’s dangerous,” she said.
Another player added:
“There’s not even any drinking water here.
A student majoring in physical education said that although there are sports scholarships, lack of infrastructure makes proper training impossible.
“We play for scholarships, but the state of the field affects our practice,” he said.
Currently, about 500 to 1,000 students and players from South Delhi train at this ground.
‘INAUGURATED AS A STADIUM, NOW JUST A PARK’
Dagar said that after the Covid pandemic, he and his wife, international rugby player Neha Pardesi, inaugurated the pitch and handed it over to the rugby community.
“But now it’s become a park,” he said, calling it an example of broken promises.
When comparing the situation with other states, he added:
“A developing state like Bihar has a ‘Khelo India’ rugby hub but Delhi has neither.”
“WE COULD HAVE WON THE GOLD”
Delhi Rugby Association president Mithun Gaur said the lack of infrastructure directly affected the performance.
“We won the bronze medal at the 2022 national games. If we had the proper facilities, we could have won the gold,” he said.
According to him, despite numerous visits by the DDA and the Department of Education, no concrete steps have been taken so far.
PROMISES IN QUESTION
When the India Today–Aaj Tak team visited the Maidan Garhi site, the situation was clear: on the one hand, people were strolling like in a public park; on the other hand, students practiced rugby without goals and on an uneven surface.
Attempts were made to contact the Delhi Development Authority, former MP Ramesh Bidhuri, who was present at the inauguration, and current MP Ramvir Singh Bidhuri, but no response was received at the time of publication.
Amid claims of support for emerging sports, the story of Maidan Garhi raises serious questions. Is it possible to promote new sports without a solid infrastructure? Can athletes compete nationally and internationally without access to basic equipment?
Until these questions are answered, Delhi’s rugby players will continue to train at a ground that lives on in the memory as a stadium – but on paper it’s just a park.
– The end
Published on:
February 19, 2026