Ensure Maximum Participation In Block Level Sports Competitions To Unearth Hidden Talent

Bhupinder Singh

(The writer is a national athletics coach)

The climate of Himachal Pradesh is perfect for sports training, but stark opposite to that the level of sports is quite low here. However, rare successes could be witnessed at national level due to individual efforts or because of sports hostel functioning in the state. Himachal Pradesh School Sports Organisation conducts sports activities until class eighth under a different assistant director, physical education of primary education directorate. And from class ninth to 12th class, assistant director, physical education, higher education directorate runs sports activities. Sports hostel facility at school level is available for only selective sports in the state. There are two sports hostels each of state sports department and Sports Authority of India. Majority of school level sportspersons are undergoing training in these hostels. But this facility is too less for hill state like Himachal. To search the hidden talent, at block to state and level, different sports competition are organised. However, majority of schools could not participate in block level sports competitions. How could the real talent would be located if every school will not participate in block level games?  Therefore, it becomes imperative to ensure participation of each school in block level sports competitions. Students pursuing training in sports hostels or from private trainers should be provided facility to continue their sports training at their respective places. However, for team competitions training camps should be held at specific places. Train tickets of Himachal’s teams for nationjal competitions are not confirmed putting sportspersons to inconvenience. How will a player deliver his best in the competition when he is already tired of uncomfortable journey? The quality of food can be understood easily by the fact that Rs. 100 is allotted per person for three meals a day during competition and training camps. Other facilities also need to be strengthened. Medal winners of All India Inter University Athletics competition stayed at good hotels at their own expense. Only then they were able to achieve success. Therefore it becomes necessary to provide proper boarding and food facility to school students in school level games so that parents do not shy from sending their wards to sports competitions.

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