Sports Reporter
JAMMU: Showing little respect to the talented stuff in the most competitive games, the designated ‘official’ committee of the J and K State Sports Council has shortlisted seven, mostly the `so called’ international, players for the prestigious State Sports Award to be announced on the eve of Republic Day.
Ironically, the selection was made out of those players, who have applied to the Sports Council individually. However, as a matter of past practice such recommendations come from respective State Sports Associations on the analogy of National Sports Federations sending the names for highest sports awards like Arjuna and Daronacharya.
In the list of seven such individuals cleared for forwarding to the government for a final decision, only two names deserve such an honour. As per the past practice, the government awards a maximum of three sports awards in a year. But, last year, during a brief Governor rule, the list broke all records and as many as six sports awards were given.
Now, the list has been finalised by the all `officials’ committee, including two Joint Secretaries and a coach-cum-member and Secretary State Sports Council. To be fair, such committees must consist of independent individuals of integrity with exceptional achievements in sports, the reason being the officials could be influenced in their decision.
Undoubtedly the first choice of the committee, Surya Bhanu Partap Singh of Wushu discipline is unquestionable. At number two is young Meenal Gupta, who has participated in two open invitational chess events of international level and still has to go a long way to get the international tag. A couple of other State players, including many time State Champion, Sumit Growar, has got better standing in the same game.
Plagued by the factionalism and dispute in the association at national and State level for years together, the gymnastics has got yet another entry in the final list in the shape of Manik Jain, who has been placed at number three by the committee as an international player.
Another deserving and talented female athlete, Nipu Jamwal, who practiced the Olympic event of Judo for 15 long years and has to her credit medals at the Nationals and Asian Championships, is the second most deserving after Bhanu Partap Singh. However, Nipu has been placed at number four.
Other three players in the list are Tarun Gandotra (Roller Skating), Nitin Kumar (Handball) and Vansh Mahajan (Fencing).
While Tarun belongs to yet another disputed and non-functional Skating Association in the State and has played in the invitational international event (not sponsored by the Union Ministry of Sports), Nitin was part of the unimportant event held outside the country.
Last in the list is `poster boy’, Vansh Mahajan, who is yet to match the achievements of other fencing players in the State. Played only a couple of invitational competitions (spending from the pocket), this teenager has yet to make a mark at the national level. On other hand, Vishal Thapar is an individual gold medalist in the senior Nationals and National Games.
“The State has a long list of genuine achievers, who are busy with the sport and bothered little to apply with the State Sports Council for such awards. The highest sports body needs to send invite to such individuals instead of asking them to approach,” reacting to the happenings in the state, international footballer, Arun Malhotra said this.
Among the outstanding sports achievers are cricketer Ian Dev Singh, who at the young age of 27, has already achieved the distinction of becoming highest first class scorer from J and K and aiming at honing the India cap. Alrounder Ram Dayal Punia and Bandeep Singh (national record of fastest 50 made last year) are other names in the most competitive and loved game in India. There is a Ladakhi girl, who has exceptional achievements in mountaineering and a many time State champion in badminton, Vipul Saini.