New Delhi, Jul 30 (PTI) The MCD is set to launch a five-year policy to upgrade and operate sports infrastructure at its school stadiums through the public-private partnership (PPP) model, allowing private players to develop and commercially run the facilities while providing free coaching to the civic body's school students.

According to the policy titled "Policy for Development and Operation of Sports Infrastructure in MCD Stadiums under Control of Education Department in PPP Mode, 2026," and seen by PTI, the civic body aims to modernise under-utilised sports facilities without any capital expenditure from it.

According to the officials, the civic body's education department currently has 14 stadiums with minimal facilities for sports such as football, cricket, volleyball, badminton, and athletics, where the infrastructure upgrade under the PPP model will be undertaken.

Under the policy, private operators selected through a two-stage bidding process will bear the entire cost of construction, refurbishment, operation and maintenance of the stadiums.

In return, they will be allowed to offer paid coaching and sports facilities to the public outside school hours, the officials said.

The policy says "MCD intends to ensure all stadiums under the education department provide free access to organised sports training for enrolled students while also offering professionally managed coaching programmes for the wider community on commercial terms." The officials said the policy permits operators to develop sports infrastructure, such as football turfs, cricket practice facilities, tennis, basketball, volleyball and badminton courts, athletics tracks and sports science centres, besides common amenities including changing rooms, washrooms, cafeterias, first-aid rooms and security systems, subject to approval by the higher authorities.

"To monitor student progress, all enrolled students will undergo baseline fitness assessments before coaching begins. The tests will cover body mass index (BMI), a 30-metre sprint, standing broad jump and a 300-metre run," the policy states.

Furthermore, the policy states, "Student performance will be tracked through a digital athlete profiling system, with all data remaining the property of the MCD." The policy also mandates dedicated initiatives to encourage participation of girls in sports and community outreach programmes such as weekend sports activities and neighbourhood tournaments.

According to the policy, the operator selection process will comprise a technical eligibility stage followed by a detailed evaluation carrying 100 marks, which include experience in the sports sector, experience in PPP projects and experience in conducting and managing sports leagues.

To qualify, applicants must be registered companies, trusts or societies engaged in sports activities with experience in multi-sport coaching, curriculum development and organising national-level coaching centres or sporting events.

At least one founder, co-founder or promoter must have represented India or a state, university or school team at a national championship.

The detailed evaluation will assess bidders on parameters including organisational experience in sports, execution of government or PPP projects, conduct of tournaments, technical manpower, athlete database management, talent identification systems and use of technology such as QR-based attendance, booking platforms and athlete monitoring systems.

The policy allows operators to determine pricing and programmes for external users, subject to fulfilment of obligations towards MCD students.

According to the policy, gross revenue, on this, the civic body's share will be calculated, will include income from coaching programmes, user fees, sponsorships, branding, advertising, ticketing, leagues and other commercial activities.

Revenue generated from programmes conducted for MCD school students will be excluded.

Operators will have to deposit MCD's revenue share every month within 30 days, failing which an interest of 12 per cent per annum will be charged.

The civic body may also prescribe a Minimum Guaranteed Annual Payment (MGAP).

The agreement with selected operators will initially be valid for five years and may be extended for another five years based on performance, mutual consent and public interest.

The policy also makes compliance with child protection norms, including the POCSO Act, mandatory. It requires all financial transactions, including fee collection and payment to coaches, to be routed through a designated bank account and prohibits cash transactions.

Entities undergoing insolvency proceedings under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code or those found violating statutory or child safety norms will be disqualified, the policy states.

The MCD currently oversees a total of 17 stadiums spread across various zones.

Out of these 17 sports venues, 14 fall directly under the control of the education department, while two are managed by the horticulture department and one, Jharoda Mini Stadium in the Najafgarh Zone, remains under the engineering department awaiting official handover to the education department.

The list includes key sports facilities such as Khatu Shyam Stadium, Madipur Stadium, Punjabi Bagh Stadium, Dr Sahib Singh Verma Stadium in Kakrola, Rani Jhansi Stadium, Satyawati Stadium, Bhagat Singh Stadium, Shanti Desai Stadium, and multiple venues across Delhi.

While several of these facilities feature dedicated indoor arenas or track and field layouts, others are currently marked without specified infrastructure, highlighting the immediate scope for development under the new PPP framework, the officials said. PTI VBH APL APL