The State’s sports department has come face-to- face with Jharkhand Olympic Association (JOA) over the number of players who will participate in the final round of training session for the 35th National Games, to be held in Kerala from January 31 to February 14.
The final camp is scheduled for the Games from January 4 onwards. The JOA, in consultation with various associations affiliated to it, has declared the players’ list for 15 events. The sports department, on the other hand, is unaware about such a camp and wants to hold separate camps for specific events.
Interestingly, the government wants camps for double the number of players in each event which according to the national Olympic federation is not justified.
“We held camps for only those players who could be sent to the National Games. The Sports department wants exactly the double number of players in such qualifying camps. According to the norms it is not possible,” said JOA spokesperson Shailendra Pathak. “Except the sports department, all the sports associations and our members have agreed to coordinate the final camp,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sports Director Dadan Choubey said his department is not at all aware about the final camp and if JOA approaches them, they will certainly cooperate. “We have no ill feelings against JOA. Before the final camps, we want the double number of players participating in the camps in order to avoid casualties like injury, sickness or family problems. Players can be replaced in the last moment,” Choubey pointed out.
Moreover, JOA has decided to shake hands with the sports department on the condition that it comes forward in distributing the pending cash awards and stipends to the players. The Sports Director indicated that cash awards and stipends of players will be given after the election process is over.
Notably, around 300 players have been selected in the 15 events for the upcoming National Games, including Athletics, lawn Bowls, Gymnastics, Fencing, Wushu, Football (Women), Hockey (Men and Women), Archery, Boxing, Beach Handball, Squash, Triathlon, Swimming, Wrestling and Kayaking. Ace archer Deepika Kumari will lead the Jharkhand contingent. “Players of Gymnastics, Triathlon, Squash and Swimming are representing on token entry (first chance) whereas the remaining event players will be performing on the qualifying entry basis,” JOA Acting Secretary Shivendu Dubey said.
The list of these players has been sent to the 35th National Games Organizing Committee (NGOC). Since, the 34th National Games were hosted by Jharkhand in 2011, the NGOC members of Kerala had been taking technical suggestions from JOA for hosting the games successfully. The state contingent had secured the fifth rank in the last National Games.