Skating can be quoted as ‘Pathetic Game’ in the state as it has no available infrastructure within the state capital despite having players of international standards. In 2002, a skating track was made at Morhabadi by some eminent sportspersons which was closed within six months due to lack of maintenance.
Since then, it is a temporary halting camp for cattle, street dogs and local wine sellers accompanied by bushes. The police patrolling parties often find drunken youth around the area.
With no option left as practice arena for this specialized game, State Skating Coach Sumit Sharma began training skating aspirants basically kids and teenagers on the road of Morhabadi from 2006.
“For past one and half month I have been asking the Art, Culture, Sports and Youth Minister Geetashree Oraon to provide us atleast the road or Tana Bhagat Stadium’s basketball court of Hotwar’s Mega Sports Complex because it would be a safe zone for practice. But, have received only a verbal assurance. Moreover, the funding is always a promise which is never fulfilled,” said Sumit.
Among the international-national skating players from varied family backgrounds, adolescent as well as child skaters Rajesh, Priyansh and Aditya have earned name for Jharkhand but are devoid of government’s assistance of any kind.
With charitable support, Sumit somehow trains some students at the basketball ground of St Xavier’s School and at a rough skating base made at Sapphire School. As far as the exercise of Skaters is concerned, Sports Authority of India (SAI) Jharkhand Coordinator Sushil Verma allows Sumit’s candidates to use their gym.
Expressing alternative of renovating the deplorable Morhabadi’s skating ground, Sumit said, “Skating ground should basically have 200 metres band track with a call room inside the track where players can take rest. Unfortunately, the one made here is of 10 metres making it unfit for the kid skaters also to practice. It can be expanded to 150 metres proper skating track as it is adjoined to a football ground.”
Presently, Sumit is training 29 students wherein nine belong to Below Poverty line (BPl) and are trained at free of cost. Equipments including the skates and cords range about Rs 3300. That too is managed by this coach. “Our students often become prey to accidents because Morhabadi is a busy public transportation road but then we have no other alternative,” said Sumit.
Surprisingly, when The Pioneer approached Geetashree Oraon about this matter, she seemed surprised and asked about the details of this neglected issue. “I have never visted to this skating ground. Now, that you have told me I will ask the Sports Secretary to take immediate steps for development.”
On the other side, officials like District Sports Officer Dalsingar Ram and Ranchi Municipal Corporation Officers put the management affairs on each others shoulder by saying ‘this is not our responsibility.’
“Concerned Government authorities have always been claiming it as non-affiliated game. However, the negligence from the government is still the same even after the affiliation of this game under Indian Olympic Association and Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA) in January 2013,” said JOA Secretary Madhukant Pathak.