The Haryana Government has found that 102 Sports nurseries in the State are fake, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Sandeep Singh said on Tuesday. Sports nurseries have been set up in the State to impart training to schoolchildren for different sports like archery, athletics, boxing, football, hockey, handball, kabaddi or kho-kho, swimming, volleyball, wrestling and other sports so that budding sportspersons could enhance their skills and compete in all national and international sports events.
Talking to The Pioneer, the new minister, also a former Indian hockey captain said that during review of various activities in the Sports department and inspection reports submitted by the department officers, it has been found that as many as 102 sports nurseries in the State are fake.
Singh said that the State Government provides several facilities for sportsmen in these nurseries. In course of review, it was found that in hockey all the students in the sports nursery were genuine. "Hockey nurseries are being operated effectively in the State," he said.
"But in some sports nurseries like archery, athletics, boxing, football, handball, kabaddi or kho-kho, swimming volleyball among others, genuine sportsmen have not been enrolled," the Sports Minister said.
He said four or five sportsmen have been found to be genuine but remaining are fake. Taking serious note of it, the officers concerned have been directed to conduct thorough inquiry of these sports nurseries and submit the report without delay. The officers have also been directed to collect all the documents from the operators of sports nurseries and review it thoroughly. "Appropriate action will be taken against sports nursery operators", he added.
Sources in the sports department said that around three years ago, the government had taken several steps to improve sports infrastructure and facilitate sportsmen in the state. As per the plan, 10 sports nurseries each were setup for boys and girls in every district. One sports nursery was established in each discipline, including archery, athletics, boxing, football, hockey, handball, hockey, kabaddi or kho-kho, swimming volleyball, wrestling among others.
As per the government guidelines for sports nurseries, the institutes allotted sports nurseries would have to conduct Sports and Physical Exercise Evaluation and Development (SPEED) test for students under the supervision of District Sports and Youth Affairs Officer. Students from all private and government schools are eligible for enrollment.
This test would be open to all students aged between eight and 19 years in the district. Authorities will admit 25 students in each nursery.
Such institutions would also adopt the particular game for which the sports nursery has been allotted and impart general training in that particular game to all other willing students in the institutions.
The SPEED qualifiers would have to attend coaching sessions in respective sports nurseries for at least 22 days every month to be entitled for scholarship, stipend and diet allowance. The Department would provide Rs 1,500 per month to players aged between eight and 14 years and Rs 2,000 per month to players aged between 15 and 19 years as scholarship and diet allowance. Coaches would be provided contract fee of Rs 15,000 per month. The Government would also provide Rs 1.20 lakh for equipment and consumables among others. The minister has found some irregularities in sports nurseries.
COACHES NEED TO BE DISCIPLINED AND FOCUSSED
The Sports Minister who recently ordered disciplinary action against two coaches of two sports nurseries who were found absent from duty during inspection in Shahabad, Kurukshetra, said that coaches should be disciplined and focused on their work.
“Our objective is to train the youth for national and international sports. Best coaching should be provided the sportsmen,” Singh said, adding “Being a player I too was trained under the supervision of Coaches.”
He said that complaints regarding indiscipline among some players and coaches are being received, which was unacceptable. "A flying squad had been set up to check attendance of trainers at stadiums, sports centres and nurseries," he said, adding that it would be ensured that outsiders were not allowed to disturb the training of players. He said some coaches were running private nurseries, which was not acceptable, adding that the district sports officer concerned would face action if any coach was found to be running a private nursery in the district. “Trainers must keep their focus on training players instead of focusing on umpiring,” he added.
NO NEED FOR SPORTSMEN TO VISIT DEPARTMENT TO AVAIL BENEFITS
The Sports Minister said that no sportsmen should visit government departments to avail facilities and getting benefits. “There is no need for sportsmen to expect anything from the government. We are here to provide them all the best facilities including training and coaching. Sportsmen need to focus on sports only and bring medals for the State and the Nation by performing at National and International level sports competitions,” he said.
ONLY STATE NATIVES TO GET SPORTS FACILITIES AND BENEFITS
Singh said that during reviewing meeting it was observed that there are many sportsmen claiming facilities or benefits though they are native of other states. "A list is being prepared for state sports persons so that only they can avail facilities being provided by the state government, he said, adding “I respect all players but I can only provide facilities to the players of the State".
WE WILL PREPARE WORLD-CLASS PLAYERS
The Minister who is a former Indian Hockey captain said that the State would prepare world-class players, for which a centre of excellence for between eight and 10 disciplines would be set up on the pattern of the NIS in Patiala. “Along with good trainers, players will get hostels and other facilities. If a player gets an Olympic, Asian or Commonwealth medal, the district sports and youth affairs officer of the district will be honoured,” he said.
FOUCUS ON TRAINING SPORTS PERSONS NOT BIG STADIUMS
The sports Minister said that emphasis will be on training of players rather than building huge stadiums in the State. "In developed countries like Australia, New Zealand and other countries, they focus on training of players by investing big amount. As international level tournament is being organised once in five years in a big stadium but cost of maintenance is very huge," he said. Taking note of it, we have decided to focus on training of players rather than spending money first constructing big stadium and its maintenance later on. "We have sufficient number of stadiums in the State and we are focusing on its effective maintenance and utilization,” he added.