Jammu, Jan 17: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Saturday asserted that the J&K government was focusing on creating a favourable ecosystem for sportspersons to ensure ample enterprising opportunities.
“In case of sports, we need to think at two levels – first we will have to make our maximum possible children inclined towards sports so that sport talent can be identified and honed from childhood. Our children have talent, determination and passion but they lack opportunities,” he said, while responding to media queries on the sidelines of the inaugural event of two-day national level sports conference -Srijan at the Convention Centre, Jammu.
The conference was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
“Therefore, our basic endeavour should be and will be to provide them with ample opportunities to participate in different disciplines of sports. For that we will have to develop infrastructure and provide them with good coaches. To be precise, we’ll have to develop an ecosystem where the children can exhibit their sports talent and hone their skills. Second priority is to nourish and nurture the good talent spotted and prepare them for participation at the national and international level tournaments so that they can win medals and laurels for themselves as well as for J&K,” Dulloo spelt out the UT government’s priorities for the promotion of sports in J&K.
Responding to a question about lack of job opportunities for national and international level sportspersons in J&K, the Chief Secretary maintained that one should not focus exclusively on government jobs only as the arena of sports, itself, offered a full-fledged career.
“See, if you think that government employment is only the job (for sportspersons), it will not be the correct perspective. As regards the point raised, that issue is being sorted out and grievance is being redressed. Process is underway. But my contention is that the Sports, in the present milieu, is itself a full-fledged career. Sportspersons have excelled in different disciplines and shaped excellent careers that don’t require jobs,” Dulloo stated, confronting a query pointing out that no jobs were offered to the sportspersons even those of international level in J&K since 2011.
Elaborating about the government’s vision for sportspersons, he said, “Sports is such an ecosystem where there are ample enterprising opportunities. We are thinking in that direction. Yes, the due jobs too will be given.”
When J&K would witness national and international level sports events including IPL matches like the neighbouring Himachal and Punjab states, in response to that question, the Chief Secretary said, “Cricket is not the only sport, where you can organize national and international events. In J&K, there are many sports centres where national and international events are being organized.”
“Yes, right now, we don’t have that kind of cricket sports stadium which can host an international match. How that can be developed, the deliberations are on in that direction also. We have to see whether it is possible for the government single-handedly or not; or should we invite BCCI or other professional associations and take them on board on this aspect – all such aspects are being deliberated. Because after its construction, there will be issues of its maintenance as well,” Dulloo said.
With regard to inadequate sports infrastructure and the significance of “Srijan” event, he stated, “Yes that is why we have to focus on rectifying deficiencies vis-a-vis infrastructure, strengthening coaching facilities and creation of ample opportunities for our sportspersons. Here lies the significance of this two-day sports conference. We will listen to eminent sportspersons and will come to know about our deficiencies, we will analyse and then we will frame a roadmap for sports and work on it.”
