Here's how Shivaji Park’s clubs are fighting to keep its sporting spirit alive

Every Diwali millions of firecrackers and strings of light fill up the sky over Shivaji Park and thousands throng there for a viewing But this iconic field is slowly losing its sports hub tag and its image is fraying at the edgesOnce the pulsing heart of Mumbai cricket mdash where greats like Sachin Tendulkar and Vinod Kambli learnt the sport mdash Shivaji Parkrsquos ground is now facing neglect An unfinished beautification project poor maintenance of grass and patches of neglect the ground most associated with legends now risks slipping from premier sports hub to overheated social spaceStill around its edges clubs and communities persist They continue to train youth are open for adults to join as well and are fighting to keep the parkrsquos sporting spirit active Herersquos a look at where you can pick up a sportSPOG VolleyballVolleyball is alive on the ground near the Vyayam Mandir called the SPOG Volleyball Court The club does not have a contact number but if you visit the court at 7 am you can meet the coach and team and sign up to train with themMahatma Gandhi Memorial Swimming PoolWhile one does need a membership for access to the pool students can get a guest pass with a letter from their school The MGMO is a BMC pool and offers classes by different freelancers Freelance coach Deepak Rao offers aqua training for toddlers and kids that gets them accustomed to being in water and pick up basics before advancing Meet him at MGMO between 6 am and 9 pmREPRESENTATIONAL PICISTOCKChampion Badminton AcademyFor indoor speed and shuttle action visit the Champion Badminton Academy in Shivaji Park Sitting inside the Bhartiya Sanchar Nigam building this academy is a few steps away from the park in Dhuru Wadi Registrations for youth training are open court fees and coaching timings vary But you can check the online booking and reach out for slot availability CALL 86523 66785Swatantryaveer Savarkar AcademiesNext to the old Mayorrsquos Bungalow at the Swatantryaveer Savarkar Rashtriya Smarak you will find a host of activities for sports fitness and dance Among them are the Archery Academy and its partner the Air Rifle Academy which run earlymorning sessions from 7 am Precise schedule details are available only at the time of enquiry CALL 24455578 24465877REPRESENTATIONAL PICISTOCKPhoenix Martial Arts AcademyAt the parkrsquos outer periphery Phoenix Martial Arts Academy offers training in karate judo and other combat disciplines The academy targets children and adults helping them benefit from smallgroup classes even as the main field remains patchy The academy is open on Tuesdays Wednesdays and on Fridays and Saturdays so ensure you are calling them for further enquiry on the right day CALL 93230 22223Champions of Shivaji ParkHome of KFCThe north side of the park is a muddy stretch taken up by football clubs that train here rain or shine The most popular among them is the Kenkre Football Club which was accredited with a 3Star Rating by the All India Football Federation AIFF in 2025KabaddiKabaddiThe gamersquos first formal rules were drafted in 1921 And the Maharashtra State Kabaddi Association founded in 1954 mdash which made its home in Shivaji Park mdash became central to its growth It was led by figures like Shankarrao Salvi who helped take the sport global and later cofounded the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India in 1972Mallakhamb masterMaster trainer Uday Deshpande began his own training in Shivaji Park at the age of three His efforts at popularising the sport resulted in the firstever mallakhamb world championship to be hosted at the Vyayam Mandir in 2019