Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, May 25: Notwithstanding the tall claims made by the Government that the implementation of J&K’s own Sports Policy has addressed all the issues regarding the welfare and promotion of the outstanding sportspersons, the ace sportspersons of the Union Territory still face enormous problems with regard to their transfers in Government jobs and treatment in educational institutions.
No-doubt, the implementation of J&K Sports Policy has been a historic decision with regard to appointment of the outstanding sportspersons in Government Services and presentation of awards and rewards for medallists at the National and International scene, but outstanding sportspersons deserve a better deal with regard to their adjustments and transfers in Government jobs and their treatment in the educational/professional institutions.
Sources said that the sportspersons who have been appointed in various Government Departments receive an indifferent treatment in their offices when they apply for special casual leaves or other allied duties, adding the sportspersons in educational institutions and other professional colleges also sail in the same boat when they need the patronage of the concerned authorities.
“How humiliating is it that a sportsperson appointed with an aim to promote sports culture and improve its standard, is denied special casual leave or other such benefit to attend sports related activities. Moreover, how shameful is it that medal winner at the National scene instead of being honoured or felicitated in School or College is marked absent on the roll. Expecting enhancement in sports culture and improvement in standard of sports with such jaundiced policies is to cry for the moon, ” said an ace sportspersons on the condition of anonymity while expressing anguish over the treatment outstanding sportspersons receive even after the implementation of J&K Sports Policy.
He said the blue-eyed enjoy serving at prominent places for years together, while outstanding sportspersons are sent to remote areas to bruise their psyche and shatter their spirit and enthusiasm, adding what was the fun to send an outstanding sportsperson to serve in a far-flung areas when his/her services are desperately needed at the headquarter for sports promotion.
“Premature transfer and mature stay is just a frill or an ornament attached to the transfer policy, otherwise, ‘No Rule’ is the rule for the Government in adjusting blue-eyed. Expecting good performance from a sportsperson appointed under SRO 349/98 posted in a far off area is simply to red-rag a bull. Because the teams in various sports disciplines, prior to the National level tournaments, are selected and prepared at the headquarters in Srinagar or Jammu. So how can you expect a good show from an outstanding sportsperson posted at Doda, Reasi, Poonch, Kupwara, Bandipora etc that too when he/she is not given the benefit of special casual leave. To see the Union Territory flourish in the sports field, the dire need is to utilise the services of outstanding sportspersons appointed under SRO 349 by the Government) properly,” said said ex-officer of J&K Sports Council while expressing anonymity.
Everyone knows that the present government is leaving no stone unturned in raising sports infrastructure and promoting sports culture across the Union Territory. However, neglecting basic things sometimes serves as a stumbling block rather serves as a death-knell for promotion of sports.
For that matter, to add colour to J&K’s own Sports Policy and make it flawless, the dire need is to set a rule for transfer and adjustment of outstanding sportspersons serving in government departments, besides setting a rule for provision of attendance and honouring outstanding sportspersons in Schools and Colleges.
For good health of sports in J&K and for matching the skills of the players from healthy sporting States like Haryana, Punjab or Maharashtra etc, some amendments are needed in J&K Sports Policy as outstanding sportspersons deserve a better deal.
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