From the Editor’s Desk

Sports Bill Noose

The government has withdrawn the pending Himachal Pradesh Sports Bill, 2015 and one can understand the opposition to this move in the house. However, opposition’s walkout from the house over the issue reflects that importance of sports is increasing in this hilly state. There should have been debate on objectionable part of the previous bill and new proposals but it was totally ignored. Jai Ram Thakur wants to stamp its mark in sports through a new policy but one can also sense the political overtones over the issue. There have been complaints as politicians have been controlling sports  associations. Previous government’s sports bill was neither simple to keep BJP’s voice silent nor so non-practical to be withdrawn without discussion. Control over cricket is the reason behind this hide-and-seek as MP Anurag Thakur has suffered as Lodha Committee recommendations have changed history of this sport. Anurag Thakur’s coronation was viewed as a strong political innings in the backdrop of Himachal’s cricket. The Congress and BJP were facing each other in the backdrop of Sports Bill as every sports association is dominated by politics. It remains to be seen how the present government fulfills its promise besides maintaining transparency in working of sports bodies. The change has also been witnessed in Hockey association. When would we discuss about our sportspersons or recognise services of former stars? Politicians are at forefront while heading sports associations in Himachal but it requires a passion to fulfill the responsibilities. Himachal’s Sports Minister Govind Singh Thakur is looking at Haryana’s sports policy but that faces budgetary allocation challenge. Issues concerning sports should be discussed in the house if Himachal wants to achieve laurels in this field. Sports environment and infrastructural facilities need to be created as Himachalis are performing outstandingly in certain sports. Jai Ram government is maintaining silence even as police department’s building is being constructed at one end of Subhash Chander Bose Sports Ground in Dharamshala.

Thought of the Week

Progress is impossible without change, and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.            

-George Bernard Shaw

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