Skating championship put off amid controversy

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 23

The inter-school skating championship, which was scheduled to begin at the Sector 10 rink here from Friday, was on Thursday postponed till further notification after the two warring groups of parents failed to reach a consensus over the selection of the venue.   

While a section of the intending participants and their parents were in favour of conducting the championship at the Sector 10 rink, the other faction remained adamant on shifting the venue to the a Sector 7 based private school, citing better facilities at the centre.        

In an unprecedented move, the District Education Officer (DEO) shot a letter to all the participating schools asking their coaches/players to reach the Sector 10 skating rink at 4.30 pm on Thursday — a day ahead of the commencement of the championship. 

As per instructions, the players along with their parents and coaches reached the venue and after a 30-minute drama, the authorities concerned decided to postpone the championship. 

Pertinently, the decision was taken by the Joint Director Sports, who was appointed to look after the matter by the Secretary Sports, after the latter was reportedly approached by the Education Secretary. 

The DEO and officials of the sports win of the Education Department remained mute spectators as parents argued over the venue. A PCR vehicle was also deployed at the venue to avoid any untoward situation.  

"We have decided to postpone the championship," confirmed Mahender Singh, Joint Director, Sports.

When asked whether the administration had formed any panel to look into the matter as the Sports Department and Education Department functions separately, Mahender Singh replied: "I was asked by the Secretary Sports to visit the venue and take some decision. He must have been approached by the Education Secretary." 

"Both parties were adamant and we had to take a decision, so we postponed it till further notice," he pointed. 

Meanwhile, a group of parents alleged that the DEO acted under pressure. "The DEO acted at such a short notice, where were the authorities from the past 20 years, when the inter-school championships used to be held at the Sector 10 rink. There was no planning and the DEO acted under pressure," alleged Karmabir Singh, one of the parents favouring the decision to conduct the event at the Sector 10 rink.  

"The authorities have measured both the rink tracks. The national championship is conducted on a 200m track. Since we don't have any such facility in the city, the 100m track at KB DAV School, Sector 7, remains the best possible option. The Sector 10 rink has lots of problems, our demand is genuine," said Pritapal Banga, who represented the other group of parents.