Sweet 16: Emerging J&K sports scenario

JAMMU: 16, the highest ever medals tally by Jammu and Kashmir in the 33rd edition of the National Games, country’s highest sports event, has infused a new blood in the dead sports of this militancy infested state.
Considerably State’s highest achievement in earlier editions of National Games was in 31st Games where in J&K had won nine medals, followed by seven in 32nd edition and three in the 30th.
This time the event was held under the aegis of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) at Guwahati in Northern Eastern state of Assam. The medals came in the events of Wushu, Gymnastics, Fencing, Boxing and Aquatics.
It seems that sports too have contributed its share to the ongoing peace process by way of bringing in a feeling of satisfaction among the sports fraternity of the state. By doing more than expectations of those associated with the games and sports, the ambassadors of the state have proved that Jammu and Kashmir is no way less to their counterparts in other states, but what lags them behind is lack of motivation.

Required incentives

The happiness of the winners and others in the 103-member contingent, including 27 officials from the state has no bounds, but what needed to be done is to add to their jubilations by giving them unexpected incentives. The already announced cash incentives at the time of team’s departure by the Minister for Sports, Babu Singh at M A Stadium on February 4 was Rs 20,000, Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 for those winning Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals respectively. The meager amount is no way going to encourage the sporting talent.

Mitali new hope in State Gymnastics

On finding the state writing new chapter in its sports history, winning bag full of medals, the Minister back home has announced a special prize for the teenager Gymnast, Mitali, who has won as many as five medals, including one Gold, one Silver and three Bronze. Inspector with Jammu and Kashmir Police, Kuldeep Handoo and his team-mate, Arjun Singh clinched Gold, a piece brining jubilations the entire police force. Other individual medal winners were Rakesh Singh, Silver (Wushu), Shiuvani Hans and Sanjeev Suri, Bronze (Fencing), Sandeep Bhushan, Bronze (Boxing).


MA Stadium poor in sports facilities

Unfortunately, the events which helped the state establish a new record in the National Games remained a neglected lot. The Gymnasts, who earlier had also fetched many laurels to the state, struggled a lot to get a suitable venue for even practice purposes before their departure for the mission.
They managed Indoor Hall of the BSF Stadium in the city outskirts at Paloura for practice, the Fencers too had same story to tell. They even don’t have a hall to practice at the MA Stadium and usually practice on stairs. Wushu, yet another sport that brought the moments of proud for the state winning two gold for the first time, too was victim of lack of infrastructure but individual efforts of players and coaches guided them excel.
So, it is players, coaches and their individual efforts that have earned name and respect for the state at the National Games and there is little credit for the administrative machinery to claim out of this feat.

Convince parents, sports may reach new heights

The discouraged and least interested in sports, parents if convinced that their wards is going to get the recognition, the desired monetary benefits and above all a career to build on, there is no force on earth to stop sport from reaching new heights.
Presently, most of the educated parents, who are sending their children to the stadium, have just one aim to get some certificates to make their ward eligible for fetching a seat in the professional colleges in sports category, while others do it for keeping themselves fit.
No doubt the games that won most of the medals are confined to the limits of Capital cities and lesser exposed events still the triumph is going to bring a change in the overall sports scenario of the state.
It would encourage the hidden talent to come forward by giving the society, who plays an important role in developing sports culture, food for thought.

Harldy qualify

Jammu and Kashmir hardly qualify for participation in the team events except for Handball and Aquatics. However, Aquatics won in individuals, the Handball could not finish among the first three. As per the laid down norms for participation in the National Games, the Indian Olympic Association allows only those state teams that finish among the first eight in the Senior National Championships, again organised under the banner of IOA.
====