85-yr-old historic gym and club in SoBo faces eviction

What the eviction notice says

- Linah Baliga

MUMBAI: The National Health League (NHL), a historic gymnasium and club established in 1941 at Hazarimal Somani Marg in Azad Maidan, is facing eviction on April 22. The Maharashtra government's deputy director of sports and youth services, under whose jurisdiction the club operates, has instructed the district collector and competent authority in Greater Mumbai to take possession of the building to establish a sports complex. The eviction notice, a copy of which is with HT, was served on April 1.

Over the decades, NHL has been instrumental in shaping 30 national-level and seven Commonwealth champions, and 11 state players in weightlifting, powerlifting, karate and athletics. Eleven of its members are Shiv Chhatrapati awardees and two are Dadoji Kondeo awardees. The gymnasium even served as a training ground for freedom fighters to practise during India's independence movement.