Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir Olympic Association (JKOA) today said no the exclusive cricket stadium at MA Stadium while demanding early constitution of the J&K State Sports Council (JKSSC) by nominating 29-members to the sports society.
The JKOA also raised the issue of outstanding sportspersons, who have been denied jobs under SRO-349 and other related benefits under SRO 232.
“The recent decision of the Sports Council to renovate the existing MA Stadium and convert the facility into a cricket stadium would deprive trainees in other sports disciplines the privileges of routine practice in the heart of the city. Instead, the Government should lay modern Athletics track and improve infrastructure for other sports disciplines,” said the general secretary of the JKOA, Dr Ashutosh Sharma.
In the meantime, Ashutosh Sharma, through his counsel has served notices to Commissioner Secretary Sports and Secretary JKSSC asking them to allow sports activities across various disciplines at MA Stadium.
The JKOA criticised the present Governor administration for dilly-dallying tactics in constituting the 29-member State Sports Council for the promotion and development of sports in J&K.
“The Governor administration has unnecessarily delayed the constitution of the JKSSC. We are also concerned about the lack of preparations of the teams prior to participation at the National level, so the Government should revive the 21-day coaching camps for the state teams,” further said Ashutosh Sharma.
The JKOA also raised the issue of organisation of sports events by the JKSSC by involving influential coaches, especially in the game of Gymnastics.
Meanwhile, in reply to a specific question, the JKOA members outrightly rejected the Government move to merge the two sports departments of JKSSC and Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS) into a single identity.
Also present were president of the JKOA, Dushyant Sharma, vice presidents, Raj Daluja, Kuldeep Singh, Capt. Murti Gupta, Deepak Handa as also executive members, Manmeet Singh, Rajan Sharma and Vikas Gupta.