Practise in park, not on the track
The state-of-art University synthetic track (right) is just 800 metres from the AUDA park where the young athletes train every day
If you thought that the awe-inspiring story of Sarita Gayakwad’s triumph over odds to Asian Games glory will usher in a new dawn for sports in the state, think again.
While the state basks in the glory of the athlete from Dangs, budding state and national athletes have been forced to undergo training at a civic garden for over two months now. The reason: authorities associated with a newly-built, multi-crore international standard synthetic track are awaiting inauguration by a VIP, possibly the Union sports minister.
At the AUDA garden near the University hostel complex, 800 metres from the gleaming track, 10 to 14-year-olds with promise of making it big in athletics, have been dodging evening walkers, stray dogs and random visitors to practice their passion.
When asked about his wards training at the park, Joe Sebastian, an International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) certified coach, said, “I used to train my students atGujarat University ground even when the new synthetic track was being laid. But since August we have been disallowed when the newly-built track was fully ready.”
When queried on to why things changed, the 45-year-old coach said, “The security guards told us that Gujarat University sports director had directed them to stop us from training there pending the official inauguration.”
Waiting for the VIP
Asource in GU who is close to the development told Mirror that the university is planning to invite central sports minister and Olympic medallistRajyavardhan Singh Rathore for the inauguration which is slated for October 31, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
“We are planning its opening on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai and are hoping to rope in the central sports minister who also happens to be an Olympic medallist,” the source said.
When contacted, veteran sports administrator and director of Department of Physical Education, Gujarat University Dr BD Vanar confirmed the inauguration will happen in another 10-15 days.
“We are yet to make bylaws for use of the track. It will happen after the inauguration of the complex in another 10-15 days,” Dr Vanar said.
When pointed out about the plight of Joe and his athletes, Dr Vanar was defiant. “Mr Joe takes money from the athletes to train and we cannot allow that at our facility. We had received complaints from many and had to stop him,” he said. “We cannot let the use of our facility for his private coaching.” Joe, a former Sports Authority of Gujarat elite coach and now Chief Selector at School Sports Promotion Foundation, pointed out that the project was supported by SAG and through its Pay and Play policy he should be allowed to use the track.
Pay and Play
“SAG had granted an amount of Rs 10 crore to the project. And they have the Pay and Play policy where one can pay to use their facility. I am ready to pay for the athletes,” Joe said, adding, “I just want a place to train the athletes. Some of my athletes have brought accolades for the state in national school games and Kavi Chavda is currently representing the nation in Para Asian Games in Jakarta.”
Atop SAG official in the district, on condition of anonymity, put things in perspective. “I think they will be allowed to train after the inauguration,” he said.
When pointed out that it was apeak season and the athletes had to train without any proper infrastructure, the official said, “We are indeed aware of this and have been holding discussions with the university officials. I am sure we will find a way out.”
Talking about the Pay and Play policy of SAG, the official said, “The complex was developed keeping in mind college level sports and SAG has invested close to Rs 10 crore in it. “Yes, we have the provision where one can train others but he/she has to take at least 30 kids from the institute concerned.”
Future suffers
As the indecision and the disagreements continue, it is the kids who are suffering especially when Khel Mahakumbh is on.
Meshwa Acharya, a 100m and 200m district champion and who featured in national school games, is understandably disappointed.
“We cannot train properly at a garden and most of the times we are not allowed to train by the walkers,” said the 14-year-old from Mt Carmel Scho-ol. “Moreover, practicing on a proper 400m track is different from practicing here. Obviously, it affects our performance.”
Kshitij Giri, who takes part in 100m, 200m and shotput and is a School Sports Federation of India (SSFI) shotput champion in his category, said, “Imagine doing our running and warm-ups dodging people and stray dogs.”
“Practicing here is difficult for us as there is no proper measurement to judge our performance. I am not allowed to practice shot put in the garden and I cannot train for 100m and 200m in this track with so many people walking around. How can I keep myself motivated,” the 13-year-old Class 8 student of Zydus School said.
Young Flesha Patel, who is a Class 5 student at Red Bricks School, said, “Many times the elders in the park do not allow us to practice as it affects their walks. And there is no place for me to jump.”
“How will I perform when I don’t have a facility to practice,” the 10-year-old standing broad jump athlete said.
When state sports minister Ishwar Patel was told about the athletes’ predicament, he said, “I will inquire into it.”
While the state basks in the glory of the athlete from Dangs, budding state and national athletes have been forced to undergo training at a civic garden for over two months now. The reason: authorities associated with a newly-built, multi-crore international standard synthetic track are awaiting inauguration by a VIP, possibly the Union sports minister.
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At the AUDA garden near the University hostel complex, 800 metres from the gleaming track, 10 to 14-year-olds with promise of making it big in athletics, have been dodging evening walkers, stray dogs and random visitors to practice their passion.
When asked about his wards training at the park, Joe Sebastian, an International Amateur Athletics Federation (IAAF) certified coach, said, “I used to train my students at
The state-of-art University synthetic track (right) is just 800 metres from the AUDA park where the young athletes train every day; PICS: HARSH PATEL
When queried on to why things changed, the 45-year-old coach said, “The security guards told us that Gujarat University sports director had directed them to stop us from training there pending the official inauguration.”
Waiting for the VIP
Asource in GU who is close to the development told Mirror that the university is planning to invite central sports minister and Olympic medallist
“We are planning its opening on the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai and are hoping to rope in the central sports minister who also happens to be an Olympic medallist,” the source said.
When contacted, veteran sports administrator and director of Department of Physical Education, Gujarat University Dr BD Vanar confirmed the inauguration will happen in another 10-15 days.
“We are yet to make bylaws for use of the track. It will happen after the inauguration of the complex in another 10-15 days,” Dr Vanar said.
When pointed out about the plight of Joe and his athletes, Dr Vanar was defiant. “Mr Joe takes money from the athletes to train and we cannot allow that at our facility. We had received complaints from many and had to stop him,” he said. “We cannot let the use of our facility for his private coaching.” Joe, a former Sports Authority of Gujarat elite coach and now Chief Selector at School Sports Promotion Foundation, pointed out that the project was supported by SAG and through its Pay and Play policy he should be allowed to use the track.
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Pay and Play
“SAG had granted an amount of Rs 10 crore to the project. And they have the Pay and Play policy where one can pay to use their facility. I am ready to pay for the athletes,” Joe said, adding, “I just want a place to train the athletes. Some of my athletes have brought accolades for the state in national school games and Kavi Chavda is currently representing the nation in Para Asian Games in Jakarta.”
Atop SAG official in the district, on condition of anonymity, put things in perspective. “I think they will be allowed to train after the inauguration,” he said.
When pointed out that it was a
Talking about the Pay and Play policy of SAG, the official said, “The complex was developed keeping in mind college level sports and SAG has invested close to Rs 10 crore in it. “Yes, we have the provision where one can train others but he/she has to take at least 30 kids from the institute concerned.”
Future suffers
As the indecision and the disagreements continue, it is the kids who are suffering especially when Khel Mahakumbh is on.
Meshwa Acharya, a 100m and 200m district champion and who featured in national school games, is understandably disappointed.
I just want a place to train the athletes who have brought accolades for the state while Kavi Chavda is representing the nation in Para Asian Games in Jakarta
“We cannot train properly at a garden and most of the times we are not allowed to train by the walkers,” said the 14-year-old from Mt Carmel Scho-ol. “Moreover, practicing on a proper 400m track is different from practicing here. Obviously, it affects our performance.”
Kshitij Giri, who takes part in 100m, 200m and shotput and is a School Sports Federation of India (SSFI) shotput champion in his category, said, “Imagine doing our running and warm-ups dodging people and stray dogs.”
“Practicing here is difficult for us as there is no proper measurement to judge our performance. I am not allowed to practice shot put in the garden and I cannot train for 100m and 200m in this track with so many people walking around. How can I keep myself motivated,” the 13-year-old Class 8 student of Zydus School said.
Young Flesha Patel, who is a Class 5 student at Red Bricks School, said, “Many times the elders in the park do not allow us to practice as it affects their walks. And there is no place for me to jump.”
“How will I perform when I don’t have a facility to practice,” the 10-year-old standing broad jump athlete said.
When state sports minister Ishwar Patel was told about the athletes’ predicament, he said, “I will inquire into it.”
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