Academy providing free coaching without govt help
The Ludhiana Badminton Academy is giving coaching to players passionate about the sport, including those who cannot afford expensive fee of other private centres and clubs. The academy situated near Lakshmi Ladies Club is functioning from land of the Municipal Corporation. However, the maintenance part, including free coaching to students from underprivileged background, is being managed by office-bearers.
Six to seven persons who are managing the affairs of the academy for the last over 15 years have also alleged “interference” by the ruling party. Academy’s secretary Anil Datt Kumaria said it was due to the passion of a few people that the academy was functioning till date.
“We are not getting any financial help from the government. The academy is on the MC land. The power bill is also paid by the MC. Apart from that all other expenses are being managed by us. The sportspersons coming from the underprivileged background get free coaching. However, the ruling party has started interfering in the affairs of the academy. We have apprehensions that it will cast a shadow on the players who are training in the academy,” said Kumaria.
It may be mentioned that 50-60 sportspersons, including girls and boys, are taking free coaching from the academy. The salary to the coach to the tune of Rs 25,000 per month is given by those managing the affairs. Caretaker, sweeper, etc are also paid by the office-bearers of the academy by raising donations.
The office-bearers rue that during the Congress regime, it was decided to revamp the academy under the Smart City project. Since the AAP government has come to power, there has been no support, they claimed.
“We have changing rooms but these are in a shambles and there is no privacy for the players. Synthetic floors were laid by us by collecting funds. The trainees pool money to buy shuttlecocks. It is unfortunate that we are being targeted in such a scenario,” said the secretary, adding that the students of the academy will suffer due to this political tussle.
The students who are being coached in the academy said they were happy on getting free coaching. An under-13 student, wishing not to be quoted, said she had played at the district, state and national-level due to free coaching. “I would have left the game if my family had to hire private coaches,” said the girl.
