Apathy Hinders Complete Sports Education

Bhupinder Singh

(The writer is a national athletics coach)

Himachal Pradesh has made rapid progress in the field of education in last few decades, but the progress in this field has not been achieved as per the real definition of education. Education means all round, physical and mental, development of a child so he or she can face the challenges that life throws on him or her in coming times. But the educational institutes neither have playgrounds nor indoor playfields for the physical development of children. How physical development of child can be ensured sans playgrounds? The sports infrastructure at district and sub division level is also witnessing inordinate delay. Talks of laying an astroturf and synthetic track at Bilaspur is going on for last two decades, but the work of even laying synthetics track there is incomplete for last many years. This playfield could not be constructed despite central assistance from Sports Authority of India. As for as laying of astroturf is concerned, even departmental formalities had not moved till yet.

Provision of Rs. 35 crore for high level sports complex at Ghatasani in Shimla has been made in the budget in last five years. This is the statement of government officials, but the land could not be made available on the sports department name till day here. The construction work of indoor stadium at government college, Hamirpur is running at snail pace for last eight years. Similarly many other sports complexes are facing the same fate.

The sports department has failed to use synthetic track and sports complex erected in Hamirpur. This complex erected at the cost of several crores has been left on it own. Similar is the case with astroturf laid for hockey at Una. Swimming pool at Una has been constructed a decade ago, but swimming trainer could not be deployed here till yet. Same is the case with the swimming pool at Mandi that is now lying all dry. The condition of indoor games infrastructure at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex in Shimla is no different. There is no end to major lacking of a competitive training facility and good sports trainers in sports hostels in Himachal Pradesh. No doubt sports infrastructure has been erected at district level at the cost of several crores, but they are not fully equipped for training purpose.

The situation of sports hostels run by state school education department has more appalling story to tell. Only education department can tell how champions can be made from low diet and lax sports facility. The talented youth from Himachal has won Olympics medal even after attaining training from other states and centre government departments. But here in Himachal, neither sports facilities could be erected nor conducive atmosphere made to prepare champions for the state and country. The state sports department and state government should ponder over the situation and find a positive solution so as to provide impetus to sports in the state.

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