UT opens govt school grounds to sports associations again

Despite failing twice, the Education Department has again opened the gates of 41 government school grounds to local sports associations for a ‘collaborative engagement’ to provide support training with scientific equipment and scientific and qualified coaches.

Notably, the associations, which hugely rely on the UT Sports Department for technical help in form of coaches and purchase of equipment, have been asked to properly use the government school grounds, which the department reportedly failed to do all these years.

At two instances — in 2013, when the Education Department signed an MoU with the Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association to train students of GMSSS 23, 16 and 33 and Government Model High School, Sector 41, and in 2008, when the operations of cricket at GMSSS, Sector 26, were handed to LIC Club by inviting the expression of interest — the department had followed the same plan, but ended up benefiting the other parties.

“We have learned from past experiences and am certain that this will be a flyer for the benefit of sports in Chandigarh,” said Harsuhinder Pal Singh Brar, Director School Education (DSE). He added, “What you need for children is professional and specialised training and we believe the arrangement will definitely help the city grow into a sports hub.”

As per the new Expression of Interest (EoI), the Department ensure integrated curriculum of sports, physical literacy and education at the school through physical education and maintenance and augmentation of sports infrastructure and facilities. Earmarking of ground(s) for a specific sport as detailed in the EoI and oversee and manage the coaching of children and sports professionals. While the sports associations will guide and assist for a sport, along with providing support training with scientific and sports equipment and scientific and qualified personnel (trainers and coaches) and helping schools to conducting discipline-specific competitions at various levels and monitoring performance. Assisting the Department in providing technical support for the sport, including the promotion of specific sport discipline and monitor and enhance performance with a scientific evaluation system.

“The management and control will remain with the schools. It is just a collaborative arrangement for bringing in professionalism in coaching and training through the sports associations recognised by the UT Administration,” said Brar.

When asked about inviting sports associations, who themselves rely on government sources for development of sports, the DSE added: “If the associations don’t have the wherewithal they will not submit to a collaborative agreement. What’s so surprising? It’s simple and straightforward. Sports have to be promoted and we must nurture sportspersons so that they can go from here and represent the country. The Sports Department is on board. We need professionals and specialised training for our children.”

Only for coaching

In recent past, certain well-off associations have used their political approach to have their authority over the government school grounds. However, the proposal was rejected by the previous UT Administrators. While only one sports association exist for each discipline in Chandigarh, the number of grounds identified under the scheme accounts to three or four in some cases. It will be interesting to see if one association will be allowed to run three or four centres. Some grounds where students are being already trained by the government school or by UT Sports Department, coaches are also shortlisted under the scheme given a clear indication of promoting certain associations.

“No place for office for any association, these are only grounds where they can only contribute to training and professional coaching,” added Brar. The schools grounds will not be used beyond 7.30 am and during school hours and no embership/training/coaching fee will be charged from any player.

Eligibility criteria

The sports associations of UT recognised by the Sports Department and should been recognised with the National Sports Body recognised by the Union Ministry of Sports. The collaborative arrangements will be initially for two years extendable by one year on mutual agreeable terms. The last date of submission is by May 29.