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Paucity of funds put players’ participation in jeopardy
Subodh Bhasin. Dated: 1/5/2019 11:13:53 AM
Subodh Bhasin
Jammu, Jan 4
Although from time to time the State government as well as Union government have made tall claims regarding boosting of sports activities in the state and to provide all possible assistance to the players from the state, the uncertainty looms over the participation of more than 700 state players in the 64th National School Games to be held at different venues across the country as the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports is short of funds for sending all teams.
It is worthwhile to mention here that the National School Games is organised by the School Games Federation of India every year in more than 55 disciplines in different states/Union Territories throughout the country under all age groups (U-14, U-17 and U-19) for boys and girls. The Directorate of Youth Services and Sports sends the state contingent to these venues for participation in the school nationals.
This time 64th edition of the National School Games, the J&K contingent was selected in 57 disciplines. They said of the 57 disciplines, the state contingent had participated in over 25 disciplines at different venues to date.
It was only strong resentment from the parents of the selected players to the authorities, the Directorate of Youth Services and Sports had agreed to send the badminton, handball and table tennis contingents, for which the department utilized the saved funds but the fate of more than 18 teams was hanging in balance due to the paucity of funds. The department did not even purchase track suits for some of the selected teams.
Although a budget of Rs 2.50 crore is earmarked but reason cited is the shortage of funds for the department to carry out all activities, which also included hosting two school nationals in the state. In fact, the sports department did not get the complete budget, which actually made things more difficult.
In the prevailing circumstances as per the reports, the chances of sending the state contingent in all disciplines are 50-50.