Sports-loving Jharkhand wants to play, but is unable to pay! This has tripped up an innovative sports department scheme. ‘Pay & Play’ was started in March but no association turned up to take part — except for badminton — because of the high fees required for this training.
Registration fee for a general candidate was set at Rs 5,000 annually and Rs 200 was to be paid monthly. A reserved category or Below Poverty line candidate had to pay Rs 1,000 for registration and Rs 100 monthly for access to world-class infrastructure built during the 34th National Games organised in Ranchi in 2011.
Only few badminton players, mostly from well-off families, could enjoy facilities of the Hotwar Mega Sports Complex.
Describing the reason for non-utilisation, Secretary of the State Athletic Association Madhukant Pathak said, “Charges are out of the reach of many local players. Most sports associations have sent written requests for reduction of charges to the department several times, but the State Government has shown no interest. So the scheme has failed.”
Sports associations have also requested that national players be exempted from paying fee and be allowed to practice at the arena, but to no avail.
Admitting that the scheme flopped, Arts, Culture, Sports & Youth Affairs Secretary Ajoy Kumar Singh told The Pioneer, “We have not got any applications, except for badminton, though we’ll invite applications again in May. For the past four to five years, there has been no grant provision for sports associations.”
“This year, we have been able to manage a grant in the State Budget. If the associations conduct State or national level tournaments, we shall certainly provide funds,” he added.
The disappointing situation is also taking a toll on sports facilities which came about at great cost. Since the National Games in February 2011, infrastructure of the Mega Sports Complex is heading towards ruin due to non-utilisation, at least for games.
“This entire sports complex has been captured by Jharkhand Police personnel who are staying there and utilising the lavish facilities in unauthorised manner at free of cost. This scene is prevailing after the winding up of 34th national Games,” said Madhukant Pathak. None of the state sports associations have an office of their own at this grand sports infrastructure.
Expensive equipment and electronic items are regularly being stolen. Tunnels are water-logged, electricity systems are in an absolute mess and tracks and courts are unplayable.
Ground charges are Rs 25,000 per day if an association is conducting a State championship and Rs 2,000 for a day for a dormitory. Sports associations rue the situation.
“The future of lawn tennis is bleak. We get no financial support from the State Government. Ranchi Club, Mecon and Gymkhana Club have their own domain for training but the masses have no place to practise. We have no coach. I had requested the sports department a month ago to make available infrastructure in some manner, like in others States,” said MK Bhadra, Secretary of State lawn Tennis Association.
Jharkhand Rifle Association Secretary Sanjesh Mohan Thakur has similar woes. “Our players practise on the terrace of a private apartment at lalpur. The actual practice arena in Hotwar has never been allotted to us.” He added, “It will take the State around Rs 50 lakh to renovate practice zones, which are in pathetic condition. We had sent five to six letters for allotting us Hotwar shooting range but the Government refuses on the pretext that they will sign an agreement or provide a centre for excellence.”
According to Thakur, the National Rifle Association was mulling a competition here last year, but they could not even take a look at the premises. It was locked and no one knew where the key was.
Rugby Association General Secretary KK Singh said, “We have a ball given by the federation but there is no ground to practice. Somehow, we manage at Khunti. At Hotwar, the ground is not adequate for rugby. During the National Games, most players were injured because of this improperly prepared rugby ground.”