New sports gradation policy gives many a jolt

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, April 26

Local kho-kho, roller-skating and kabaddi players were shocked to learn that these sports disciplines failed to make it to the UT Sports Department gradation list of 2015, even as a promise was made in this regard in 2013.

For the past two years, the UT administration has been in the process to clear the files pertaining to the induction of these games under sports gradation policy. Last week, the UT Sports Department announced its new sports gradation list.

On August 29, 2013, on the occasion of National Sports Day, former sports secretary VK Singh announced to include these disciplines under the sports gradation policy from the session 2014.

The proceedings for the same started from the next day but, since then, the file demanding the approval of the sports secretary and Home Department is tasting dust on the tables. The delay in approval has deprived these players of the benefits of the gradation policy, including bonus-points in admissions.

This year, the games that are covered under the gradation policy include aquatics, archery, athletics, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing (men), canoeing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, football, gymnastic, handball, hockey, judo, rowing, sailing, shooting, softball, table tennis, taekwondo, tennis, triathlon, volleyball, weightlifting, wrestling (men’s) and cricket.

“We haven’t received a nod from the Home Department or from the office of the sports secretary, UT administration. This year, it’s impossible to include these games in the gradation list. Let’s see if the approval comes in the next session,” said a highly placed source in the UT Sports Department.

Meanwhile, questions are being raised about bringing cricket under the gradation policy while ignoring other games.

“Cricket is not even an Olympics game but the administration has included it under the gradation policy. It was called ‘game for the masses’ and said to be important for the purpose of including it under the gradation policy. However, when it comes to other games, the administration turns a blind eye,” a coach with the UT Sports Department said.

On other hand, no official from the UT administration was available to comment on the issue.

Benefits under gradation

The players who pass their qualifying examination from schools/colleges, recognised by the Chandigarh Administration (located in Chandigarh), as regular students, and have studied in Chandigarh schools/colleges for at least two years before applying for gradation certificate, subject to the condition that such students must represent Chandigarh state schools in the national level or other recognised tournaments.

The UT Administration has adopted the notification of other states/UTs on reciprocal basis to give benefit of reservation only in admission in the sports category in Chandigarh. The players will be graded as per the existing policy of the Chandigarh Administration.