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| Kashmir gets “Rowing Centre, Jammu awaits “Fencing Centre” | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 24: Even after the lapse of eight months “Fencing Centre” announced by the Central Government in Jammu division hasn’t started functioning, while “Rowing Centre” in Kashmir has started functioning.
Under Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE) the Union Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs last year announced two Centres of Excellence for Jammu and Kashmir division which were named as Centre of Excellence for Rowing in Srinagar and another at the Maulana Azad Stadium for Fencing in Jammu. Union Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju in April this year inaugurated the Khelo India State Centre of Excellence (KISCE) for Rowing in Srinagar at the Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council Water Sports Academy. The KISCE will focus on rowing and will be provided a first-time grant of Rs 145.16 lakh and an annual recurring grant of Rs 96.17 lakhs.
However, on May 22, the Sports Ministry also decided to add training facilities for kayaking and canoeing KISCE to promote the two water sports on the request of the J&K Sports Council to include these two sporting disciplines.
“It is good that water sports is getting special focus but what about the Centre of Excellence for Fencing announced for Jammu, where is the same announced by the Union Ministry,” a player rued.
He further said that if Water Sports Centre can be prepared on priority and inaugurated by the Union Minister in a short span of time, then why the J&K Sports Council is biased in establishing the Fencing Centre at Maulana Azad Stadium Jammu.
He also suggested for introducing Water sports centres at Ranjit Sagar Dam Basholi and adventurous water sports in districts like Reasi, Kishtwar, Doda in River Chenab having rich potential for the same.
A veteran player said, “The sports infrastructure is far better than Jammu in Srinagar and every time, it is the Jammu that faces the brunt.”
“Detailed Project Report (DPR) of Fencing Centre was prepared, halls were identified and other logistic facilities were also discussed by the officials but months have passed, nothing is seen on ground,” he said, adding, “It is astonishing that Water Sports Centre Srinagar starts functioning in these months with infrastructure in place but what about Fencing Centre for Jammu.”
“The Covid second wave hit the country in the month of March this year and the lockdown was imposed but the J&K Sports Council had five months from October, the day these Centres were announced till mid of March, why the work was not expedited for Fencing Centre Jammu,” said an international fencer adding, “it seems that the J&K Administration is more concerned about Kashmir and hardly bother for Jammu.”
Pertinently, a consolidated amount of Rs 5.08 crore has been approved for the two centres. Currently, there are 24 KISCEs across 23 states and union territories and each of them focuses on Olympics sports.
Administrative Officer JK Sports Council Riyaz Ahmad said that a proposal for the engagement of staff (nine posts) for the Centre has been finalized and forwarded to Sports Authority of India (SAI) for vetting. About the construction of infrastructure of the Centre, Riyaz Ahmad said that apart from hall, boarding and lodging was also part of the infrastructure, for which the matter has been taken up with the SAI and their decision is still pending. “Probably due to lockdown the reply from the SAI office in New Delhi is pending”, the Administrative Officer said.
On the question of equipment, the official said that the specifications for the equipment have been finalized and tender are yet to be invited. |
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