EArly Times Report
Jammu, Oct 13: Even after Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha sanctioned Rs 200 crore under Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) for upgradation of sports in the Union Territory, the J&K Sports Council—the highest sports body—is still facing shortage of coaches.
The body is currently managing with 50 per cent of total strength.
Reliable sources in the J&K Sports Council here told that presently, the total strength of coaches across the Union Territory is 45 in three different categories against the total 88 posts.
As per official figures, the total posts in the category of Junior Coach are 62 but, the department presently has 21 coaches, in the category of Senior Coach, total posts are 18 but present strength is 16 whereas the strength of eight Chief Coaches is occupied.
"The present posts of coaches was created as per the government sanction in 2017 Reorganization," sources said adding that the total strength required per district is much higher.
“The strength of coaches in the Sports Council is of 88 sanctioned after 2017 Reorganization in Junior, Senior and Chief categories but we are depending upon 45 in different disciplines, means 50 percent of the total,” an official told .
He however, said that out of total eight Chief Coaches, two are from Athletic, and one each is in Basketball, Cricket, Volleyball, Hockey, Football and Gymnastics.
Similarly in Senior Category, out of total 18, after the retirement of two coaches, 16 coaches are devoted in the disciplines of Volleyball (2), Athletic (2), Kho Kho (2), Hockey (2), Weightlifting (2), and one each in Boxing, Football, Basketball, Cricket, Gymnastics and Judo.
Two senior coaches attained superannuation in the year 2018.
In Junior category, an official said that, Judo discipline has six coaches, two in Gymnastics, three each in Football and Hockey, and one each in Fencing, Handball, Athletic, Swimming, Cricket, Thangta, Boxing and Yoga.
The post of one coach in Yoga discipline in this category fell vacant after an untimely death of a coach in a road mishap. Meanwhile, the chair of Chief Sports Officer (CSO), which fell vacant after the retirement of Mr Abdul Qayoom in June 2019, is still lying vacant.
Moreover, the Sports Council has nine instructors at present in Selection Grade in the disciplines of Yoga, Fencing, Ball Badminton, Swimming and Billiards.
Apart from this, sources said that there are three Sports Officers (two in Kashmir, one in Jammu). The one stationed in Jammu, will be retiring on October 31, 2020.
Of total 20 posts of managers across the Union Territory, only four are filled. "There are 56 games recognised by the Sports Council, so every district should have this number of coaches, at least one in each discipline to deliver justice to all disciplines so that desirous sportspersons avail benefit of learning techniques under the guidance of professionals if the reserved posts are filled," sources added.
Before Reorganization, there were total 56 posts under Recruitment Rule of 1992 comprising number of posts in Junior Coach category were 32, selection grade coaches had ten posts, Grade-ll had two posts, managers eight while sports officers and chief sports officers were same as of now.
Secretary, J&K Sports Council, Naseem Choudhary when contacted, told UNI, "we had advertised various posts earlier but many aspirants moved to the court and presently the matter is Sub-Judice. Once the judgement is delivered, we will begin the recruitment accordingly by advertising posts."
Sources however, alleged callousness saying that the ‘wrongdoings’ within the department have spoilt the ladder of promotion due to which the process hampered and the fresh appointments could not be made and thus led to shortage of coaches.
“In many cases, blue-eyed given undue benefits, despite not being competent, were promoted to next level,” they alleged.
A senior coach alleging that neither qualification nor achievement remained criteria considered at the time of promotions, adding, “if matter is probed and record is scrutinized, many of the employees will be found promoted by getting undue benefits. Their hand-in-glove with some administrative officials, cannot be ruled out.”
Pertinently on October 7 had already reported that Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council has kept promotions on hold since long.
As per laid norms, sources said, Junior Coach is to be promoted to Senior Coach followed by Chief Coach, Manager, Sports Officer and Chief Sports Officer in a time bound manner but years have passed and deserving coaches are awaiting promotions on "seniority basis".
“In some cases, the seniority list has also reportedly been sidelined to accommodate favourites and when objections were filed, the promotion process was ceased,” they said.
The then Advisor to Jammu and Kashmir Governor, K Vijay Kumar in December, 2018 in the presence of then Governor, Satyapal Malik, had announced that ‘Sports Task Force’ will be constituted to keep check on utilization, distribution of funds and other activities but the announcement remained ‘on papers’.
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