PIL highlighting deficiency of sports facilities in J&K
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 26: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting deficiency of sports facilities in the State, Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Alok Aradhe has arrayed Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Secretary J&K Youth, Services and Sports Department, State Sports Council and several federations as party respondents with the direction to submit report highlighting the facilities being provided to the sportsmen and details of the coaches and experts available to promote the sports in the State.
In the PIL, it has been submitted that in Srinagar there are barely three to four stadiums: one being the Bakshi Stadium which is meant for playing football; the second is the Sher-i-Kashmir Indoor Stadium which is meant for some indoor games such as badminton, table tennis; the third and fourth are TRC Ground and Polo Ground, where football and cricket matches are being played. The status in Jammu is not much better.
The DB was apprised that there was not a single athletic track, swimming pool, basket-ball court and facilities for other games in Srinagar.
After hearing counsel for the PIL, the DB observed, “participation in sports activities is a building block in bringing in habits of discipline, rectitude, perseverance, commitment and most importantly developing an ability to work in teams. It provides a critical outlet for the energy possessed by young children and the youth”.
“The Government has an essential responsibility to ensure that sports facilities are provided to every person who is a resident of India or visits the State of Jammu and Kashmir”, the DB said, adding “Government of India has taken upon itself the responsibility of developing and ensuring sports and sporting facilities to the people of India”.
The DB further observed, “the Government of India also has formulated the National Sports Code whereby recognition is accorded to sporting bodies operating at the national level to whom Government grant is released for promotion of the sports at the national level, representation at the international forums and selection of the national teams”.
“There is no reason at all as to why the Government of India as well as the Government of Jammu and Kashmir and the sports bodies ought not to be required to ensure provisions of the sporting facilities in the State of Jammu and Kashmir”, DB observed, adding “it is time to remind ourselves of the mandate of Section 21 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir and the State shall strive to secure to all children the right to happy childhood with adequate medical care and attention; and to all children and youth equal opportunities in education and employment, protection against exploitation and against moral or material abandonment”.
Given the extreme lack of sporting facilities in the entire State of Jammu and Kashmir, the DB appointed Advocate Syed Faisal Qadiri as Amicus Curiae to assist the court in this matter.
The DB also arrayed Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports through its Secretary, Secretary J&K Youth, Services and Sports Department, Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council through its Secretary, All India Lawn Tennis Federation of India, Athletic Federation of India, Badminton Association of India, Basketball Federation of India, Billiards & Snookers Federation of India, Boxing Federation of India, Cycling Federation of India, Equestrian Federation of India, Gymnastic Federation of India, Kho-Kho Federation of India, Swimming Federation of India as respondents in the PIL and issued notices.
They were directed to file status report regarding the sports facilities within one week after the receipt of the notice. “The respondents shall file in tabulation the facilities being provided to the sports persons in the State. The respondents shall also provide the details of the coaches and experts available to promote sports in Jammu and Kashmir”, the DB said.
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