HYDERABAD: New schools set up in Hyderabad are not bothered whether they have a playground or not, thanks to steep property taxes levied by the government, a move that has angered activists who say it’s a skewed policy and needs to be sorted out.

Hyderabad is home to some of the top sportspersons, including cricketers Md Azharuddiin, VVS Lakshman, Indian football captain Victor Amalraj, badminton star Saina Nehwal and tennis player Sania Mirza , among a host of other players, who play different sports .

Last year, the government issued an order to make sports compulsory in all schools, but it has hardly been implemented and instead of giving a boost to sports by giving tax rebates, the government has been levying property tax on playgrounds/open spaces, activists said.

Worried at the situation , the AP Recognised Private Schools Managements Association has urged the government to rework its policy on playgrounds.

“While schools which do not have playgrounds are exempted from taxes, the ones that encourage sporting activity are forced to pay taxes,” said Asish Reddy, a school administrator.

Many schools in the city do not have playgrounds and operate out of commercial complexes in areas such as Jubilee Hills, where there is little scope for a playground.

There are thousands of schools in the city and each year a few hundred more spring up, but none of them give sports a priority.

“As it is, the cost of running an educational establishment is very high and why would we bother much about playgrounds if we have to pay high taxes,” shot back a principal of a school in Begumpet.

Seizing the opportunity, some schools run after-school courses for preparing a child for competitive exams and charge parents a lot of money.

“It time someone really gave it a thought. If the government is keen to encourage sports, then they should really do something about it,” said Anil Kumar , a parent.