STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The office bearers of Volleyball Association of J&K (VAJK) have urged the Ministry of Railways to restore railway concession of sportsmen for their participation in various National tournaments in length and breadth of the country.
In a press statement on Wednesday, Vijay Kumar Magotra General Secretary of the Association, disclosed that railway concession which was suspended during Covid-19 pandemic, to manage the unprecedented crisis, has been resolved now. With restoration of normalcy all across the country, Magotra demanded that Central Government under the dynamic leadership of PM of India Narendra Modi should pave a way for restoration of railway concession to sportsmen who participate in various disciplines of sports including Volleyball game which is held five to six times in various categories annually in India.
Regarding volleyball game which is normally rural oriented game played as team event mostly by youth hailing from low middle income groups, it becomes difficult for them at times to afford railway journey without availing railway concessions. The recognized sports association of J&K with meager source of income rely on grant-in-aid provided to them by J&K Sports Council find difficult to sponsor the teams in National participations in absence of railway concessions facilities.
To boost the morale of all sportsmen as advocated by Prime Minister of India to host Olympics in 2036 in India, Ministry of Railways is requested to revive railway concession facilities for sportsmen to facilitate them in glorifying India’s image in arena of sports in near future. The Association has sent a representation to Ministry of Railways in this regard strongly advocating the cause of restoration of railways concession for overall well being of sportsmen of JKUT.
The President of VAJK Sidarth Daluja has also hailed the decision of Government in relaxation of age and tenure in Draft National Sports Governance Bill 2024 which would go a long way in strengthening the various national sports associations/ federations in utilizing the services of stalwarts/ veterans of various disciplines in discharge of their professional duties with devotion and dedication.
The Chief Executive Officer VAJK, Kuldip Magotra has also welcomed the proposal of Sports Ministry to provide relaxation in age and tenure clause in the first ever National Sports Governance Bill, the draft of which is being tabled in budget session of the Parliament next year.
The Volleyball Association of J&K has reiterated its stand for promotion of sports in general and volleyball game in particular all across JKUT with provision of infrastructure facilities including Indoor stadia since its inception. The outstanding International Volleyball players of JKUT have held the head of JKUT high in various national and international tournaments in the past and would glorify the country’s name in future as well.