Goldi Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 12: With the unveiling of a new ‘Sports Policy-2022′ in the Union Territory of J&K, the Government is going to focus on major challenges of sports that are needed for comprehensive support to athletes.
In the policy document which was released by Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha in a function, here today under the Sports Policy-2022, wherein outstanding players were appointed in Government jobs at gazetted and non-gazetted posts along with incentives and awards.
A sportsperson who is a domicile of Union Territory of J&K and has represented India in international games/competitions namely Olympic Games/Paralympic/World Cup/ Asian Games/Commonwealth Games/International cricket matches /World University Games in any of the sports disciplines and won 1st, 2nd and 3rd positions in the above mentioned international competitions, have been eligible for the Gazetted post.
For the non-gazetted category, a person who has won first three positions in the individual or team event in National Games or Senior National Championship or Federation Cup or Senior Inter-Zonal Competitions, held under Indian Olympic Association/ National Sports Federation/ Association officials recognised in any of the sports disciplines in the 44 shortlisted games as well as has represented India in international games/ competitions were eligible for the non-gazetted posts.
The same policy was announced by the LG on January 6, which got approval by the J&K Administrative Council on February 5.
In the policy document, there are four major challenges identified by the Government, associated with providing a comprehensive support to athletes and will be addressed soon including low medal tally in competitions which is attributed to the failure to identify sports with a talent base and medal potential within the UT and determination of sportspersons who can benefit from this policy and at what stage should the benefits under this policy be made available to them.
Moreover, the determination of the nature of support to be provided depends on the requirement of the sports and the sportsperson which vary from sport to sport and finally understanding the quantum and distribution of support to be provided within the available budget.
To counter these challenges, the policy proposed a stage wise plan by identification of high participation and performance focus sports, consisting of Olympic and non Olympic sports. The Government will focus on those disciplines’ which have the highest level of result in terms of broad based participation, talent identification, nurturing and competitive return for the UT at national and international levels.
The policy document identified 15 sports in lines of this vision are mentioned as Athletics, Football, Hockey, Volleyball, Judo, Kayaking & Canoeing, Skiing (Ice & Snow), Rugby, Fencing and Gymnastic in Olympic, while Kabaddi, Wushu, Thang-ta, Chess and Cricket in non Olympic Sports.
“The more initiatives and opportunities will be provided for these sports to generate mass participation, while maximum supports (administrative & financial) would be provided to the governing sports associations, private/ Government players contributing to the vision for widespread outreach of these sports as well as the choices of and number of priority disciplines should be reviewed once every 4 years,” the policy document revealed.
In the line of this vision, the talent search and training is the first step towards the development of elite sportspersons, thereafter, the Government shall simultaneously run Sports Hostels in phased manner in different games, Sports Academies, Sports Medicine and Wellness Centre, Day Boarding Scheme, Rural Sport and equally focus on specially abled sportspersons.
Under rural sports, emphasis should be given to traditional sports like Kho-Kho, Kabaddi, Archery, Mud Wrestling and Tug of War, while rural youth shall be scouted as well as nurtured in coaching camps for national competitions and financial assistance should be provided for them for achieving excellence.
The J&K Government through designated sports bodies shall take all necessary steps to meet sports needs of specially-abled sportspersons. Due care shall be provided to ensure that there is sufficient infrastructure, training facilities and competitive events to enable them to participate fully in sports as well as UT and District level tournaments will be organised for them.
The document also proposes other initiatives to benefit games and sports by convergence of the resources of different departments under ‘Scope and Resource Mobilization’ as well as Sports Tourism to promote UT’s natural resources such as lakes, rivers, canals and mountains. Wherever necessary hubs and sports tourist centres will be created which would in turn provide additional job opportunities.
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