It has become fashion with our political leaders to invoke the interests of the youth of the country for all and sundry issues so as to create an impression that they care for the youth more than any other section of society. It is so because they know that the youth in the country comprise nearly 70 per cent of total population. It is the largest vote bank and time serving politicians would want to draw the best out of it. There is no question of sincerity and honesty in their feigned empathy for the youth; there is self aggrandizement.
The urge for demonstrating skills in various sports and athletics is inherent in the youth wherever they are and in whatever situation they are placed. The universal motto is ‘catch them young’ meaning the state should pick up the youth with sports talent very young in schools, nurture them, train them, spend money on their training and well being and provide them all facilities so that they finally end up as national champions in the type of sports in which they are deeply interested. It is a sort of investment that the state has to make and at an early stage. India is a country of 125 crore people but we are not able to win a gold in Olympics. Have we ever reflected on this deprivation which actually is national shame? There are far smaller countries in the world that win gold in international competitions and we are left out of the roll call of honour. Therefore this is a moment of deep introspection for the nation and the Government.
Coming to the State, the condition is no better in any way. We are not able to bring up our sports persons to the level of figuring in national competition leave alone international competition. It is not that the youth in the State lack talent. In fact, we are the richest in talent because of the diversity of climatic conditions in our state. Unfortunately, we are lacking proper encouragement, approach and financial support and also infrastructural facility needed for raising cadres of well trained sportspersons. Let us cite the example of Indoor Stadium Complex in Udhampur. If we just take district Udhampur and its adjoining parts into consideration, we will come to know that the youth in this hilly region are physically stronger and more agile than the youth in the plains. They are sturdy owing to the harsh topography of the region and enjoy more conducive climatic conditions. As such, the Government should have provided all facilities to the Indoor Sports Complex in Udhampur to make it attractive for the youth. That unfortunately is not the case. In the first place, we see that the foundation stone of the indoor sports complex was laid way back in November 2013. The then minister while laying the foundation stone had announced that Rs. 1.34 crore had been sanctioned for the project. Two and a half years have gone by and the indoor sports complex is nowhere close to its full functionality. It is starved of funds. The local sports youth point out that the floor of the complex has been made of solid concrete which is not at all conducive to safe sporting because a fall on such a concrete floor would mean sure fracture of a bone. In modern times the floor of a sports venue is made of synthetic and wood of superior quality which promise safety against fracture. Who advised the J&K State Sports Council and District Administration Udhampur to let the contractor make the floor of concrete material against the norms that are now universally applied wherever sports halls are built? Secondly, it is an admitted fact that indoor sports have to be provided with special lights under which games can be played. No arrangement for special light is available at the existing Indoor Sports Complex at Udhampur.
Owing to these inadequacies, sports loving youth of Udhampur are forced to enjoy their skills in various indoor sports like Wushu, Judo, Gymnastic, Power Lifting, Chess, Carom, etc. in private sports halls by paying heavy charges for the same which, usually are beyond their capacity.
The net result of unsympathetic attitude of the JK Sports Council and Department of Youth Services and Sports is that the youth of the State are denied the opportunity of developing their talent in various sports. This is a loss to the youth, to the State and to the country in final analysis. If our political class is really interested in promoting the interests of the youth, they should not behave in such a casual manner with the youth and blackmail them.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel