Abodh Sharma
Early Times Report
Jammu, Jan 22: Such is the obsession of the Governments of the State and the Centre with anything that has word 'Kashmir' added to its name that they lose all reason and object to appease it. In a recent testimony to the fact, the state government is all set to 'gift' Rs. 2 cr to a private football club, which is purely a commercial entity.
In an exhibition football match to be played Wednesday between J&K Police and the Real Kashmir FC at the BSF stadium Paloura, the Governor is all set to gift the whopping amount to this private club. J&K police team is also likely to get Rs. 10 lac, sources told.
Anger is brewing amongst the sportspersons of the state, especially those belonging to Jammu region who are deprived of even basic facilities. "Why should a private, commercial club be given such a huge amount when the total budget of the J&K State Sports Council which caters to over 50 sports is little over Rs. 3 cr?" asked Ravinder Singh, an eminent sports person of the yesteryears.
Sources informed that 'Real Kashmir FC' has nothing Kashmiri into it as five of its players are foreigners, at least five others are from other states of the country and the Coach is from Scotland. "Only one player from Kashmir is fielded in the starting line up of the squad and yet government is gaga over it" said Sudhanshu, another player from Jammu.
'Real Kashmir FC' got into I-League of the AIFF and gained prominence after it locked horns with famed clubs of the country like Mohun Bagan and East Bengal. The club is a commercial venture and the club makes handsome money through sponsorships and other means. Further, it has little participation of the players from Jammu and Kashmir.
The unwarranted generosity of the state government has raised many an eyebrows because the sportspersons of the state have been meted a raw deal all through. The infrastructure, incentives and allied facilities for the players are dismally lacking. Especially in Jammu region and players of eminence have migrated to other states for want of better opportunities. "For years we kept requesting athe authorities for a decent drinking water facility at MA stadium, but it was never provided" said another Vasu, an athlete.
Under such circumstances, the move of the government to 'gift' such a huge amount to a private, commercial club has generated more antipathy among the sporting fraternity. |
