Sports Association heads waiting in wings for grant-in-aid

Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Feb 3: Despite the fact that some Sports Associations and their players have created a space on the Country’s Sports Map, the heads of these recognized Associations of the State are waiting in the wings to receive their grant-in-aid from Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council as they have yet to receive the same, reasons better known to the concerned authorities.
We have yet to get the dues despite good show of our teams at the domestic and the National level activities from last over five years, said general secretary of one of the Associations while showing concern.
Sources said that J&K State Sports Council has yet to clear the dues of its affiliate units, which they have spent on organizing activities at the domestic and the national level.
“The J&K State Sports Council is short of funds and that is why it is not in a position to clear the dues of almost all the recognized Sports Association of the State. Council has already written to Government for sanctioning Rs 1.50 crores to meet out the expenses and it is hoped that the issue is solved at an earliest. Moreover, the issue will also be raised in the Council meeting falling on February 13, 2013,” said a top brass official of the Council, expressing anonymity while talking to EXCELSIOR.
Sources said that over 25 recognized Sports Associations rather over 50 percent affiliate units of the State Sports Council, have not received their grant-in-aid from many season’s, despite these Associations producing some National and International stuff, besides organizing national level activities in the State.
Meanwhile, when contacted, general secretary, J&K Table Tennis Association, Ajay Sharma said though State Sports Council is presently not in position to release dues in favour of its affiliate units, yet it is one among very few Councils’ across the Country, which releases sufficient money for promoting sports and uplifting sportspersons of the State.
“J&K Badminton Association last year organized Senior National Badminton Championship at Srinagar which witnessed the participation of many International players including Parupalli Kashyap and likes. The smooth and successful conduct of the Championship was highly praised by the top officials across the Country. However, the Association has yet to receive the expenditure incurred during the organization of the event from J&K State Sports Council, which gives a bad taste. Sanctioned Rs 180000 is pending with the Council,” said an office bearer of J&K Badminton Association.
“Despite winning many national level events from last 4 years, besides organizing so many activities in the State, Jammu and Kashmir Tennis Ball Cricket Association has not received grant-in-aid from the Council. J&K hosted twin championship in this discipline and lifted both of them. However, one feels disgusted over non issuance of dues and the zeal of holding activities diminishes,” said FA Salroo, general secretary, J&K Tennis Ball Cricket Association.
When contacted SM Bali, president J&K Handball Association and Secretary General, Handball Federation of India said that his Association will not organize any activity in the State, unless the pending dues are released by the Council.
He said that Handball Association organized Under-15 boys and Under-12 girls National Championship in Srinagar and spent a heavy amount of money in its organization, adding that the Association has not received a single penny from the Council.
He further said that the Council used the money for holding various activities in organizing cricket tournaments, which is not affiliated to it. In such a sort of atmosphere, one loses heart and the interest of organizing events decreases, he added.
General Secretary, J&K Amateur Kabaddi Association, Kuldeep Gupta said that the issue of release of grant-in-aid to the Sports Associations is being dealt by J&K Olympic Association and hoped for an early solution.
Meanwhile, when contacted, Ashutosh Sharma, general secretary, J&K Olympic Association, the parent organization of all the associations said that a meeting of Jammu based Sports Associations is scheduled to be held at Jammu tomorrow, under the chairmanship of Minister for Sports, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, wherein the issue of the release of grant-in-aid to the Associations will be a priority agenda.
Anyway, these Associations are just a tip of an ice-berg as many other Associations are sailing in the same boat. J&K Amateur Chess Association, Baseball Association, Carrom Association, Wushu Association, Football Association, Ball Badminton Association, Basketball Association, Gymnastics Association and Fencing Association are a few to name.

Follow our WhatsApp channel