Moga News: In a shocking revelation, Moga’s iconic Balvir Stadium, a prime property worth crores situated in the heart of the city, has been under illegal possession for nearly 15 years by Punjab Masih, Secretary of the Moga Badminton Association.
Despite being owned by the Municipal Corporation, Moga, the stadium has been converted into a private badminton academy by Masih and his wife Narinder Kaur Masih, without any official permission or lease. Sources reveal that around 100 budding players practice there daily, each paying Rs.1,500 per month, with no receipts issued and no revenue shared with the civic body.
Badminton Official Accused of Running Private Academy, Pocketing Lakhs
According to insiders, the couple has been earning between Rs.18–20 lakh annually from the unauthorized use of the stadium facilities. The duo allegedly operates under the guise of promoting badminton while using the government property for personal profit. Punjab Masih is also a coach at Blooming Buds School and his wife is a contractual badminton coach with sports department of punjab government.
Mayor Confirms No Permission or Fees Paid to Municipal Corporation
Adding to the controversy, Moga Mayor S. Baljit Singh Chani, who also serves as President of the Moga Badminton Association, vide his letter no.566-67 has written to the Punjab Badminton Association confirming the illegal occupation. In his official communication, the Mayor admitted that,Mr. Punjab Masih has not deposited any monthly fee to the Corporation till date and that he has been running a private academy in Balvir Stadium without any permission.
Chani further stated that Masih has failed to maintain any association records for over 13 years, raising serious concerns about transparency and misuse of association authority.
Despite several complaints lodged by parents and players to the District Administration and the Municipal Corporation, no action has been taken so far reportedly due to Masih’s close connections with influential local politicians.
Shockingly, Masih continues to use the stadium’s badminton hall free of cost for organizing tournaments, collecting sponsorships and entry fees that allegedly go directly into his personal or private accounts.
As the controversy deepens, questions are being raised about administrative silence, political protection and blatant misuse of public property. Citizens are demanding a high-level inquiry into how a government-owned sports facility could be hijacked for private gain for over a decade without accountability.
