Sports policy demanded
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 16:
Strongly reacting to the decision of the State Cabinet to promote four sportspersons who have been recruited in the State Police Department, Sepak Takraw players and Taekwondo players of the State have threatened to boycott the next National Games at Jharkhand until and unless the Government frames a proper Sports Policy.
Speaking to newsmen at Manipur Press Club today, the sportspersons said that though the Chief Secretary had earlier announced that any sportsperson winning two or more gold medals at the National Games would be provided Government jobs, nothing has been heard about the plan since then.
They also added that such a policy is extremely disadvantageous for sportspersons who can take part in only one event, such as those based on body weight like Boxing or Taekwondo, where a participant cannot take part in two events.
Pouring out their grievances, the sportspersons said that there is strong ground to suspect that the Chief-de-Mission for the State contingent at the Assam National Games, Manipur Olympics Association, officials of the Youth Affairs and Sports Department may have played the favouritism game.
While the plight of other sportspersons are being neglected, the State Government has been favouring a few, they said and pointed to the promotion granted to two cyclists who have been appointed to the State Police Department.
Not only were these cyclists being given employment but they were also provided with two world class cycles recently and this was topped of with their promotions, they said and added that this smacks of favouritism.
The action of the State Government has given strong suspicion that it favours only cyclists, fencers and archers, they alleged.
Deriding the logic of the Government, the sports-persons asked whether Taekwondo, Judo, Weight Lifting and Wrestling players will not be given Government jobs because they cannot win more than one gold medal.
Taking all these lacunae into consideration, it is time, the Government comes out with a proper sports policy along with a white paper, they said and added that if this is not done, then they would be constrained to boycott the next National Games.
Giving vent to their grievances and frustration, they said that Taekwondo players who have been consistently winning gold medals since 1994 have not been provided Government jobs till date.
The Government should shed their skewed outlook and put their mind into framing a an objective sports policy, they demanded.