Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU: The previous Ministry of Youth Services and Sports, Government of Jammu and Kashmir, though renovated major part of the damaged sports infrastructure in the State and also held a good number of sports extravaganzas, rather National Level Sports events in the State as per the announcements made after March 2015 budget, yet developing two International standard cricket stadia at the already existing Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar and MA Stadium in Jammu seem far-fetched projects.
Out of four to five major announcements, Government has succeeded in fulfilling a few but has so far failed in the most important one of developing International Stadia in the State, the construction of which is the need of the hour, as the State has yet to have any quality stadium to cater to the needs of the quality sportspersons.
No-doubt as per its announcement and promise, the State Government has constituted J&K State Sports Council in 2015, with the induction of good number of outstanding sportspersons in it by showing door to deadwood, yet a Comprehensive Sports Policy to shape the careers of the sportspersons and help Jammu and Kashmir to blossom at the National and International scene, is yet to be implemented in the State, however, the implementation of the same is in offing.
A Comprehensive Sports Policy can only contribute in the making of a desirable sports structure in the State and help sportspersons to flourish to their fullest.
Otherwise, one observes that almost all the sports agencies, departments and organizations, including elitist Sports Organisation/Department are working in a haphazard manner in their own respective ways, but to no avail and ultimate purpose of sports is getting defeated in this way.
The need is to implement a Sports Policy which will make it mandatory for the Department of Youth Services and Sports, Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council, various Sports Associations and even the Department of Education (when needed) to work as a cohesive unit, which is only possible by bringing them under the control of one umbrella by framing Sports Authority of J&K analogous to the Sports Authorities of the States having good name and fame in the field of sports.
It is learnt that the Government has convened a series of meetings with regard to implementation of a Comprehe-nsive Sports Policy in the State, yet the need is to convert these meetings into a reality at an earliest to see sportspersons flourish and help J&K produce more and more International stuff.
The investiture ceremony organized by the Sports Ministry recently at Jammu for presenting cash awards to the outstanding sportspersons was a step forward in promoting sports and sportspersons in the State and the decision of the former Minister for Sports, Molvi Imran Raza Ansari with regard to constitution of a Committee headed by DG Sports to identify the outstanding sportspersons and giving proposal for enhancement of cash awards to make sportspersons’ future secured, will go a long way in improving the standard of sports in the State. However, the wholesome development in sports field is not possible without the implementation of a Comprehensive Sports Policy in the State.
The State Government has re-constructed some part of the flood-hit damaged sports infrastructure and the development and construction of the other part is in progress, but has yet to take a concrete initiative with regard to development of two modernized International Standard Stadiums in the State-one in each region. The development of good quality Sports Stadia is the demand of thousands of sports lovers of the State.
There have been announcements with regard to construction of International Standard Sports Stadium in the State from past few State Governments but so far the announcements have remained on papers only.
According to reliable sources, the State Government, out of the Central Government’s Special Sports Package of Rs 200 crores, is aiming at utilizing Rs 80 crores each for up-gradation of MA Stadium Jammu and Bakshi Stadium Srinagar, besides 4 crore each in 10 Indoor Stadiums in 10 prominent districts of the State, 5 each in Kashmir and Jammu.
J&K hosted as many as six National Level Sports events including Winter Games and Ice Skating at Gulmarg, Under-19 Boys Football Nationals at Srinagar and Under-17 Girls Cricket Nationals at Jammu in the year 2015, which itself is the promotion of sports in the State, yet organizing big sports events alone without winning medals at the National and International scene cannot help the cause of sports promotion in J&K.
Moreover, the Government has yet to give a practical shape to its announcement of training the State coaches at National Institute of Sports (NIS) Patiala to help them improve and update their knowledge, its assurance of giving pension to the employees of J&K State Sports Council, its promise to the employees of the Department of Youth Services and Sports, especially, Physical Education Lecturers and Zonal Physical Education Officers of clearing their pay disparity and help them not to be left in the lurch.
It is observed that even the present Government, as per the State’s custom, is having a casual approach towards identifying and facilitating recognized and un-recognized sports disciplines in the State. Lacunas are evident in granting recognition to the games and sports.
When contacted, former Minister for Sports, Molvi Imran Raza Ansari said that the Government is committed to prioritize the development of sports infrastructure in the State and provide world class facilities to the sportspersons, adding that the Government has succeeded in completing many of its projects and some are in pipeline.
Mr Ansari further said that J&K has the distinction of making a huge number of players to participate in the National Level sports events this year, besides winning a good haul of medals at the National and International levels, adding that the performance of Wushu players, Gymnasts, Boxers, Taekwondo players, Juokas, Canoeists and Paddlers at the National and International levels is highly appreciable.
“Rs 6 crores had been released by the then Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed for repair of flood affected sports infrastructure in the State. The Chief Minister has also released Rs 80 lakhs for promoting water sports facilities and equipment at Gundun in Srinagar. All weather Swimming Pool is also on anvil at Srinagar and flood lights at synthetic football turf in Srinagar are also in pipeline. At Jammu, New Indoor Stadium is to be completed by April end. KK Hakhu Stadium will be provided with New Astroturf very soon, while Swimming Pool at MA Stadium will be made all weather facility and a New Learners Swimming Pool will be constructed at an earliest,” informed the former Sports Minister.
He added that the Government is focused to frame a Comprehensive Sports Policy and has completed almost all the formalities regarding its implementation, adding that the same will be implemented very soon.
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