Nagpur, June 17
With a noble intention to produce the players at grassroot -level for future Olympics the Central government has allotted Khelo India training centres in every part of the country.
The RTM Nagpur University is launching Sports Authority of India (SAI) training centre in four disciplines including basketball, handball, athletics and badminton. However, due to its rules and regulations the players particularly belonging to team events like basketball and handball are confused as they will have to select between club and SAI centre.
As per rule the selected players from now onwards will not able to play for their respective clubs in the association's tournaments. However, at the same time they can represent their schools in the DSO's tournaments. To add to their worry, the SAI has no provision of fielding their own team in the tournaments organised by district or state associations. It means the SAI centre will be limited only for training purposes. The badminton players or athletes will not face such issue as they participate individually in the tournaments but the players belonging to the team game will have to make some sacrifices.
It may be mentioned here that till the age of 18 the players will be imparted the training at this centre by the NIS coaches free of cost. They will also get playing kits. On the basis of their performance, the selected players will go for advance training at excellence centres after achieving the age of 18. For that yearly review of the players will be taken and non-performing players will be removed and some new players will be recruited in their places.
Take the example of basketball, the Department of Sports and Physical Education of RTM Nagpur University selected 18 cagers and number of them belong to renowned clubs like Shivaji Nagar Gymkhana, Dharampeth Krida Mandal and Nutan Bharat Yuvak Sangh (NBYS). Till date these players were used to train under the guidance of renowned coaches. Now the club will also miss these players.
In this regard when contacted director of the Department of Sports and Physical Education of RTM Nagpur University Dr Sharad Suryavanshi he said, “Now these players will be affiliated with SAI centre only. They will not able to play for any club in the tournaments. However, they can play for their schools. We will provide them only training. Some parents players and coaches have expressed their concern and I will clarify about it from SAI officials”, he said.
Former vice-president of Maharashtra State Basketball Association and Shiv Chhatrapati awardee Shatrughna Gokhale said, “ Khelo India is actually a good scheme. But the confusion has prevailed among the players. Why should the players leave his club and their renowned coaches just for the sake of one kit or one tracksuit? More clarity needed in this regard.”
The secretary of Nagpur District Handball Association (NDHA) Sunil Bhotmange has also said the players will suffer a lot as they will not be able to play association's tournaments. “ Secondly they will also be deprived of grace marks in SSC or HSC for not playing association's local, state or national tournaments”.