Proper infrastracture furthers talent

by PURVI RADIA
Posted on 2008-12-20
A healthy mind keeps the body healthy, and a healthy body can be achieved only if life is balanced, both physically and mentally. Likewise in education a student should shine both academically as well as in sports.
But how will the students show interest when there is no proper infrastructure available in the schools and the colleges? In some instances, the parents create a fear in the minds of the young ones or hatred towards certain games.
Prasad Sawant, a SYBA student of Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Miramar, said, “Being the only son, my parents do not allow me to get into sports. But my interest in sports keeps me going to the grounds. Our college does not have proper infrastructure for the development of sports as compared to the Chowgule College.”
Mr Pandurang Naik, Director of Physical education at the same college said, “The demand for a playground has been made, however, there is no response. Even if I want to create a sporting spirit in the students, I am helpless as there is no ground to practice.” He also added that sometimes it is the involvement of the teachers and the parents that induces the students towards sports.
You may feel that only the schools and colleges in the city are affected with no proper playground but even the village schools face a similar challenge.
The grade I physical education teacher Mr Hanuman Parab from Dyan Prakash Mandal Higher Secondary school, Mulgaon lamented, “We do have the ground, but it takes us about 10 to15 minutes to reach it. Since, they have to concentrate more on their studies no extra sports time is available to train them. We have very good participants for Kho kho, kabaddi, football, cricket and volleyball, but nothing has been done by the management with regards to a proper ground.”
Mr Parab agrees that for the holistic development of a child equal concentration should be laid on studies as well as on sports. But not every parent and teacher is of a similar opinion.
The Deputy director of education, Mr Anil Powar, too points out that parents discourage the children from sports. Mr Powar mentioned that knowing the conditions of Red Rosary School, he raised the question with regards to the development of the proper sports infrastructure, with the parents. He said that the parents were content with the way the classes are held. Mr Powar added further, “If this interest persist among the parents then how can we show our involvement”
Although the general opinion is that parents discourage children from sports, one parent, Ms Aneeta Fernandes, a Physiotherapist said, “I instructed my children from a very young age that only a physically fit person is mentally fit. I always encouraged them to be mentally and physically fit.”
Mr Powar said, “The requirement for a ground in primary schools is 200 meters running track and for the middle schools it is 400 meters running track, which has to be within 500 meters from the institution.” He said very few institutions meet these requirements. He said, “In fact, we demand from every institution to fulfill these requirements, before setting up the institution but very few follow our instructions.”
He also said that plans were afoot to shift city schools to Cujira, Bambolim and provide them with a common playground.
Ms Juliano Colaco, Deputy director of sports and youth affairs, said, “We are ever ready to grant schools the sports infrastructure, but the schools have to show us the playground. In fact, we have granted aid to many institutions, like the Shree Satari English High School, Pernem, St Francis Xavier High School Mapusa, for the development of a playground.”
According to the Panchayat Yuva Krida Aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) scheme, enforcement will be made to provide basic infrastructure and equipment at the panchayat level and encouraging sports and games in rural areas through annual competitions at the block and district levels.
According to Goa sports policy 2008, very soon there will be a development of sports infrastructure at Dhargal for the 36th National Games in 2011. A football cum synthetic 10-lane Athletic track will be laid at Campal, construction of International standard cricket stadium in North Goa; similarly there will be many establishments for other sports as well.
Mr V M Prabhudesai, executive director, The Sports of Goa, said that 5 to 40 marks would be awarded to the participants, who take part in taluka and international level. Additional marks will be awarded for the achievements at various stages of competition with maximum of 5 per cent of the total aggregate of all the subjects at every internal exam. Also 3 per cent seats will be reserved for the prominent sports personality of state/ National/ International repute, in granting admission in higher educational institutions. Outstanding sportspersons will be granted with at least 5 per cent job reservation in Government departments, semi-Government corporations, autonomous bodies and corporates.
Mr Prabhudesai specifically emphasised saying “On higher allocation of budgets to the Sports Authority of Goa and the director of sports for more development in sports.”
If proper infrastructure is not available in the institutions then budding youngsters would loose interest in sports activities.