Sir,
This has reference to the editorial ‘Gymnasts create history’ DE Feb 9.
The participants who brought laurels to the State deserve warm appreciation. Their achievement underlines the fact that there is vast latent talent in the State. The only thing required is that this talent needs to be tapped at right time.
It is quite dismaying that much emphasis is not laid on sports in the State. Rather there is no sports policy which may take care of nurturing sports in the State, particularly in rural areas. The players do not receive much support from sports ministry. Those who have achieved at national or at international level have done so on their own and at their own expenses.
The schools which are excellent centres for tapping sports talent do not have proper infrastucture, nor proper coaching facilities.
It is just for sake of conducting sports events that students are made to play games off and on in school premises. Most of the time, it has been observed that funds allotted for this purpose are swindled by the officers responsible for conducting games.
Unless a comprehensive sports policy comes into existence, and thrust is laid on improving the standard of sports in the State, much can not be expected on this front. The achievement like that of the Gymnasts will be a once in a blue moon phenomenon and not a continuous process.
Yours etc….
Ajit Kumar,
Jammu
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