Out of 70 schools inspected, only two met standards
IT'S OFFICIAL now. The sports infrastructure in government schools in the city is in a shambles. UT Assistant Director, Sports (Education), K.S. Bharti, who has prepared a report on sports infrastructure and its maintenance in the schools, has submitted that the infrastructure is in a complete mess in a majority of the schools. DPI (Schools) S.K. Setia had appointed Bharti to inspect all government schools under the UT administration for the upkeep of sports infrastructure after Hindustan Times highlighted how the set-up was gathering dust.
According to the findings of the report submitted today, out of 70 schools inspected, only two--Government Model Senior Secondary School-35 and Government Model Senior Secondary School-37--met the desired standards.
The report said the infrastructure available with a majority of the government schools was not at all maintained. In some schools, grounds are being used for dumping construction and waste material. Some schools don't even have PTIs/DPEs, while in others DPEs are entrusted with responsibilities other than sports.
Schools like Government Model Senior Secondary School-10 and Government Senior Secondary School, Dhanas, are using the ground for dumping waste material.
Referring to the sports stock, the report says: "In most of the schools, sports equipment are not being utilised and are dumped in stores." It also states that some schools have equipment for those games for which they don't have the infrastructure. Other schools have equipment for hockey and gymnastics, although they don't have the infrastructure for these games.
"I have gone through the report and its findings are not at all pleasing. Official letters will be issued to all the school principals, who will be instructed to start making efforts at the earliest for the maintenance of sports infrastructure. We are ready to help them in every respect," said DPI (Schools) S.K Setia.
To a question whether action will be taken against those schools which do not comply with the instructions, the DPI said strict action would be taken against all those who fail to do so. "Moreover, we have already instructed the government schools to bring their playgrounds back in shape and make them available for the students during vacations," said Setia.
"I personally visited each and every school. There is no sports environment in almost all government schools, and the high schools are even worse. In my report I have listed out my findings and suggestions. Schools have funds at their disposal, yet they never utilise them, which is hard to understand," said Assistant Director, Sports (Education), K.S Bharti.
"We will inspect all the schools again after the summer vacation to check whether there has been any positive development or not," he added.
Official recommendations ¦ All schools should take help of Horticulture Depart ment for maintenance of their grounds. ¦ Principals should be allowed to spend up to Rs 15,000 for purchase of sports equipment. ¦ To encourage principals to maintain sports infra structure, a cash award should be given to the best maintained ground.
Monday, June 4, 2007
Sports facilities to affect ACRs
THE CONDITION of sports infrastructure in government schools will, from now on, have a bearing on the annual confidential reports (ACRs) of the principal, physical training instructors (PTIs) and DPEs of the schools concerned. The instructions were issued by DPI (Schools) S.K. Setia soon after Chandigarh Live carried a report yesterday on how the huge sports infrastructure was gathering dust in schools for want of proper maintenance.
Besides, the DPI has appointed K.S. Bharti, Assistant Director, Sports (Education), to inspect all government schools under the UT administration for the upkeep of infrastructure and prepare a report.
All schools will be inspected for their sports grounds, facilities, equipments, sports staff (PTI, DPE and Physical Education lecturers). The report submitted will reflect on the ACRs of the principal, PTI and DPE of schools concerned.
"There are around 100 schools and we’ll inspect all. I will take action on the basis of the report I get. I will personally keep track of the developments," said Setia, adding that inspection would be a regular exercise and it would certainly bring about a positive change.
"It's a time consuming exercise as there are many schools. But I will try to submit my report and suggestions for the improvement of sports within a month," said Bharti.
Besides, the DPI has appointed K.S. Bharti, Assistant Director, Sports (Education), to inspect all government schools under the UT administration for the upkeep of infrastructure and prepare a report.
All schools will be inspected for their sports grounds, facilities, equipments, sports staff (PTI, DPE and Physical Education lecturers). The report submitted will reflect on the ACRs of the principal, PTI and DPE of schools concerned.
"There are around 100 schools and we’ll inspect all. I will take action on the basis of the report I get. I will personally keep track of the developments," said Setia, adding that inspection would be a regular exercise and it would certainly bring about a positive change.
"It's a time consuming exercise as there are many schools. But I will try to submit my report and suggestions for the improvement of sports within a month," said Bharti.
UNSPORTING SCHOOLS
The huge infrastructure available with majority of government schools is lying in a shambles, thanks to indifferent approach of school authorities. ALL SCHOOLS claim sports is an integral part of their curriculum. But the claim holds little water, especially in government schools. All it takes is a small stroll to the playfields of these schools to find out how fake these assertions are. The huge infrastructure, which majority of the government schools in the city possesses, is in a shambles as the school authorities have apparently not cared for its maintenance. Weeds and wild growth have covered the huge open areas and football fields, the volleyball nets are reduced to shreds and boards and rings are missing altogether from the basketball courts.
And the most common explanation for the unkempt infrastructure is that the session has just started and it would be soon in proper shape. "We are busy with admissions right now but we will soon carry out a maintenance drive for sports infrastructure," said Government Model School-38 principal Parkash Kaur.
The students however disagree. "The infrastructure has never been taken care of; it's in fact getting worse ever year," said a student of the school.
Government Model School-46 principal H.K. Bhatia also offered the same explanation. "We have no shortage of funds, but for carrying out any maintenance work above Rs 5,000 we have to take permission from DPI. We carry out maintenance drives whenever it's required or our sports teachers recommend it," said S.K Sharma, principal Government Model School-23.
Sports teachers of different schools however feel that school heads don't take enough interest in promoting sports and that's the reason why infrastructure was lying waste in most of the schools.
"Sports is better in private schools because the school heads take keen interest. But there is hardly any coordination between principal and sports faculty in government schools, said a sports teacher of a government school.
"I am aware of the declining sports standards in schools. It is a result of the lax approach of school authorities towards promotion of sports," said DPI (Schools) S.K Setia, adding that he would see into the matter
And the most common explanation for the unkempt infrastructure is that the session has just started and it would be soon in proper shape. "We are busy with admissions right now but we will soon carry out a maintenance drive for sports infrastructure," said Government Model School-38 principal Parkash Kaur.
The students however disagree. "The infrastructure has never been taken care of; it's in fact getting worse ever year," said a student of the school.
Government Model School-46 principal H.K. Bhatia also offered the same explanation. "We have no shortage of funds, but for carrying out any maintenance work above Rs 5,000 we have to take permission from DPI. We carry out maintenance drives whenever it's required or our sports teachers recommend it," said S.K Sharma, principal Government Model School-23.
Sports teachers of different schools however feel that school heads don't take enough interest in promoting sports and that's the reason why infrastructure was lying waste in most of the schools.
"Sports is better in private schools because the school heads take keen interest. But there is hardly any coordination between principal and sports faculty in government schools, said a sports teacher of a government school.
"I am aware of the declining sports standards in schools. It is a result of the lax approach of school authorities towards promotion of sports," said DPI (Schools) S.K Setia, adding that he would see into the matter
Six-a-side hockey scores a winner
Everyone concerned feels that the shorter format is the need of the hour to save and sustain the longer version by Vinod Kumar
ANY CHANGE in the established format of a sport normally draws a mixed reaction from the people concerned. While some would see it as a welcome change, the others would scoff at it. But six-a-side hockey, the truncated format, seems to have extracted a unanimous approval from all quarters. Calling it the need of the hour, many even went to the extent of saying that six-aside was the way to go if hockey is to be revived.
Former India skipper and Olympian Pargat Singh is a staunch supporter of the new format. "Changes brought about as per the need and time are always good. The format had to be brought about as we neither have enough grounds nor players for the original format," he said, adding, "most of the schools do not have enough players to prepare a team. So this format would certainly help the game revive at school level," he said.
Dwelling on how they were planning to give it a further boost, he said they organised six-a- side tournament for girls in Jalandhar last year and following its success, they would hold all tournaments in junior and sub-junior section under this format. "The normal format would be used only in senior section," he said.
"It's very common in European countries and is now picking up in India as well. As it requires small area, we should set up astroturfs in all hockey pockets," said Col Harcharan Singh, former Olympian and member of 1975 World Cup winning team.
He added that the format demands great skills and fitness and the ones excelling here would find the goings quite easy in the normal format which provides much more breathing space.
"It provides huge opportunity to the players to improve their skills. Players have to manoeuvre the ball in much less space with great speed, which helps them in longer version of the game," said Indian forward Rajpal Singh.
The admirers of this format feel that it could even bring in elusive sponsors into hockey. "It provides much more thrill and action and is therefore a delight for the spectators. And with spectators showing interest, the sponsors too would have an incentive to enter this arena," said one of the hockey players.
But others aren't too enthusiastic about its commer cial potential unless it is telecast on television. "Although the spectators' interest and the smaller area, which would give the banners and logos better visibility, should attract sponsors, but a major thrust could come only once it's telecast.
If we can market this version of game, it has got great a commercial potential," said former Olympian Sukhbir Gill, also the organiser of just concluded 5th Olympian Dharam Singh Memorial Six a Side Hockey Tournament.
Goals it can score ? Will help the game revive at school level ? Will improve the skills and speed of the players ? Can rope in sponsors if telecast
ANY CHANGE in the estab- lished format of a sport nor- mally draws a mixed reac- tion from the people con- cerned. While some would see it as a welcome change, the others would scoff at it. But six-a-side hockey, the truncated format, seems to have extracted a unanimous approval from all quarters. Calling it the need of the hour, many even went to the extent of saying that six-a- side was the way to go if hockey is to be revived. Former India skipper and Olympian Pargat Singh is a staunch supporter of the new format. "Changes brought about as per the need and time are always good. The format had to be brought about as we neither have enough grounds nor players for the original for- mat," he said, adding, "most of the schools do not have enough players to prepare a team. So this format would certainly help the game re- vive at school level," he said. Dwelling on how they were planning to give it a fur- ther boost, he said they or- ganised six-a- side tourna- ment for girls in Jalandhar last year and following its success, they would hold all tournaments in junior and sub-junior section under this format. "The normal format would be used only in senior section," he said. "It's very common in Euro- pean countries and is now picking up in India as well. As it requires small area, we should set up astroturfs in all hockey pockets," said Col Harcharan Singh, former Olympian and member of 1975 World Cup winning team. He added that the format demands great skills and fit- ness and the ones excelling here would find the goings quite easy in the normal for- mat which provides much more breathing space. "It provides huge opportu- nity to the players to improve their skills. Players have to manoeuvre the ball in much less space with great speed, which helps them in longer version of the game," said In- dian forward Rajpal Singh. The admirers of this for- mat feel that it could even bring in elusive sponsors into hockey. "It provides much more thrill and action and is therefore a delight for the spectators. And with spectators showing interest, the sponsors too would have an incentive to enter this arena," said one of the hock- ey players. But others aren't too en- thusiastic about its commer- cial potential unless it is tele- cast on television. "Although the spectators' interest and the smaller area, which would give the banners and logos better visibility, should attract sponsors, but a major thrust could come only once it's telecast. If we can market this ver- sion of game, it has got great a commercial potential," said former Olympian Sukhbir Gill, also the organ- iser of just concluded 5th Olympian Dharam Singh Memorial Six a Side Hockey Tournament. Goals it can score ? Will help the game revive at school level ? Will improve the skills and speed of the players ? Can rope in sponsors if telecast
ANY CHANGE in the established format of a sport normally draws a mixed reaction from the people concerned. While some would see it as a welcome change, the others would scoff at it. But six-a-side hockey, the truncated format, seems to have extracted a unanimous approval from all quarters. Calling it the need of the hour, many even went to the extent of saying that six-aside was the way to go if hockey is to be revived.
Former India skipper and Olympian Pargat Singh is a staunch supporter of the new format. "Changes brought about as per the need and time are always good. The format had to be brought about as we neither have enough grounds nor players for the original format," he said, adding, "most of the schools do not have enough players to prepare a team. So this format would certainly help the game revive at school level," he said.
Dwelling on how they were planning to give it a further boost, he said they organised six-a- side tournament for girls in Jalandhar last year and following its success, they would hold all tournaments in junior and sub-junior section under this format. "The normal format would be used only in senior section," he said.
"It's very common in European countries and is now picking up in India as well. As it requires small area, we should set up astroturfs in all hockey pockets," said Col Harcharan Singh, former Olympian and member of 1975 World Cup winning team.
He added that the format demands great skills and fitness and the ones excelling here would find the goings quite easy in the normal format which provides much more breathing space.
"It provides huge opportunity to the players to improve their skills. Players have to manoeuvre the ball in much less space with great speed, which helps them in longer version of the game," said Indian forward Rajpal Singh.
The admirers of this format feel that it could even bring in elusive sponsors into hockey. "It provides much more thrill and action and is therefore a delight for the spectators. And with spectators showing interest, the sponsors too would have an incentive to enter this arena," said one of the hockey players.
But others aren't too enthusiastic about its commer cial potential unless it is telecast on television. "Although the spectators' interest and the smaller area, which would give the banners and logos better visibility, should attract sponsors, but a major thrust could come only once it's telecast.
If we can market this version of game, it has got great a commercial potential," said former Olympian Sukhbir Gill, also the organiser of just concluded 5th Olympian Dharam Singh Memorial Six a Side Hockey Tournament.
Goals it can score ? Will help the game revive at school level ? Will improve the skills and speed of the players ? Can rope in sponsors if telecast
ANY CHANGE in the estab- lished format of a sport nor- mally draws a mixed reac- tion from the people con- cerned. While some would see it as a welcome change, the others would scoff at it. But six-a-side hockey, the truncated format, seems to have extracted a unanimous approval from all quarters. Calling it the need of the hour, many even went to the extent of saying that six-a- side was the way to go if hockey is to be revived. Former India skipper and Olympian Pargat Singh is a staunch supporter of the new format. "Changes brought about as per the need and time are always good. The format had to be brought about as we neither have enough grounds nor players for the original for- mat," he said, adding, "most of the schools do not have enough players to prepare a team. So this format would certainly help the game re- vive at school level," he said. Dwelling on how they were planning to give it a fur- ther boost, he said they or- ganised six-a- side tourna- ment for girls in Jalandhar last year and following its success, they would hold all tournaments in junior and sub-junior section under this format. "The normal format would be used only in senior section," he said. "It's very common in Euro- pean countries and is now picking up in India as well. As it requires small area, we should set up astroturfs in all hockey pockets," said Col Harcharan Singh, former Olympian and member of 1975 World Cup winning team. He added that the format demands great skills and fit- ness and the ones excelling here would find the goings quite easy in the normal for- mat which provides much more breathing space. "It provides huge opportu- nity to the players to improve their skills. Players have to manoeuvre the ball in much less space with great speed, which helps them in longer version of the game," said In- dian forward Rajpal Singh. The admirers of this for- mat feel that it could even bring in elusive sponsors into hockey. "It provides much more thrill and action and is therefore a delight for the spectators. And with spectators showing interest, the sponsors too would have an incentive to enter this arena," said one of the hock- ey players. But others aren't too en- thusiastic about its commer- cial potential unless it is tele- cast on television. "Although the spectators' interest and the smaller area, which would give the banners and logos better visibility, should attract sponsors, but a major thrust could come only once it's telecast. If we can market this ver- sion of game, it has got great a commercial potential," said former Olympian Sukhbir Gill, also the organ- iser of just concluded 5th Olympian Dharam Singh Memorial Six a Side Hockey Tournament. Goals it can score ? Will help the game revive at school level ? Will improve the skills and speed of the players ? Can rope in sponsors if telecast
Sunil set to serve aces
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Keen to bring rank above 400 to get direct entry into ATP tournaments It's always an honour to represent your country at the highest level. The match I played along side my child- hood hero,Leander will always stay close to my heart - Sunil Kumar Sipaeya by Vinod Kumar
ONE OF Sunil Kumar Sipaeya's dreams came true when he played along with Leander Paes in a doubles match in Davis Cup in 2006. The duo won. Sunil now hopes his hard work will enable him to fulfill his another ambition: to get a direct entry into ATP tournaments. Sunil, 24, is among the few tennis players in the country that stand out for their consistency and fighting spirit. Hailing from Kapurthala, Sunil is ranked 610 in the world, 100 notches higher than his last year's ranking of 710.
Sunil says: "I am feeling strong as a horse and want to take part in as many tournaments as possible. If I am able to bring my rank above 400 by September, things will be a lot easier for me. It will help me get a direct entry into ATP tournaments."
Sunil had a great run in 2006, winning ITF Futures single in Tunisia and ITF Future Doubles in Delhi. He did not let injuries pull him down, realising the significance of making most of opportunities.
Success didn't come easily to this former pupil of Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA). The association took Sunil under its wings at the age of nine under its Rural Development Programme. Sunil toiled hard in the initial stages of his career and faced a lot of problems in meeting the expenditure.
"Apart from your own game, a tennis professional has to take care of his expenditure too. If you have a sponsor, you can concentrate on your game without any pressure," says Sunil. Reebok and Indian Oil are Sunil's sponsors, but it was not so rosy until he started serving aces.
Sunil shot into the limelight when he won the ITF 3rd IYF Central Asian Boys' U-14 singles title in 1996. He won his first national title in 1999 at the age of 16, a feat achieved only by Ramesh Krishnan and Leander Paes.
Now in his sixth year on the professional circuit, Sunil is determined to enter as many events as possible to improve his ranking. "Having a goal to improve your ranking always gives you a boost and makes you raise your game," he says, having continuously played for six weeks.
His best result was two semifinal berths in ITF Fu ture Tournament in China.
Sunil has been part of Indian Davis Cup team on three occasions. He was picked for the first time in 2002, but could not make it to the playing team. He was overlooked for the next five years but was called back to play against Uzbekistan in February 2007. He partnered his childhood hero Leander in a doubles match.
"It's always an honour to represent your country at the highest level. The match I played alongside Leander will always stay close to my heart," says Sunil.
Sunil was also part of the Indian Davis Cup team that lost to Kazakhstan in April 2006, though he did not play in any of the matches.
CLTA director Rajan Kashyap and Leander's father Dr Vece Paes have played a vital role in shaping up Sunil's career. "I owe all my success to Rajan Kashyap and Dr Paes. They both have helped me lot throughout my career and motivated me to perform well," he says, stressing he is working hard on his core strengths: speed and service.
Sunil says: "I am feeling strong as a horse and want to take part in as many tournaments as possible. If I am able to bring my rank above 400 by September, things will be a lot easier for me. It will help me get a direct entry into ATP tournaments."
Sunil had a great run in 2006, winning ITF Futures single in Tunisia and ITF Future Doubles in Delhi. He did not let injuries pull him down, realising the significance of making most of opportunities.
Success didn't come easily to this former pupil of Chandigarh Lawn Tennis Association (CLTA). The association took Sunil under its wings at the age of nine under its Rural Development Programme. Sunil toiled hard in the initial stages of his career and faced a lot of problems in meeting the expenditure.
"Apart from your own game, a tennis professional has to take care of his expenditure too. If you have a sponsor, you can concentrate on your game without any pressure," says Sunil. Reebok and Indian Oil are Sunil's sponsors, but it was not so rosy until he started serving aces.
Sunil shot into the limelight when he won the ITF 3rd IYF Central Asian Boys' U-14 singles title in 1996. He won his first national title in 1999 at the age of 16, a feat achieved only by Ramesh Krishnan and Leander Paes.
Now in his sixth year on the professional circuit, Sunil is determined to enter as many events as possible to improve his ranking. "Having a goal to improve your ranking always gives you a boost and makes you raise your game," he says, having continuously played for six weeks.
His best result was two semifinal berths in ITF Fu ture Tournament in China.
Sunil has been part of Indian Davis Cup team on three occasions. He was picked for the first time in 2002, but could not make it to the playing team. He was overlooked for the next five years but was called back to play against Uzbekistan in February 2007. He partnered his childhood hero Leander in a doubles match.
"It's always an honour to represent your country at the highest level. The match I played alongside Leander will always stay close to my heart," says Sunil.
Sunil was also part of the Indian Davis Cup team that lost to Kazakhstan in April 2006, though he did not play in any of the matches.
CLTA director Rajan Kashyap and Leander's father Dr Vece Paes have played a vital role in shaping up Sunil's career. "I owe all my success to Rajan Kashyap and Dr Paes. They both have helped me lot throughout my career and motivated me to perform well," he says, stressing he is working hard on his core strengths: speed and service.
VINOD-------THE SPORTS JOURNALIST
Sports Freaks need no introduction, they can be sighted or their comments can read. Same goes for me, I can be found anywhere with my camera. Sports is my passion and I just cant get over that. I can playing but more than that I like following it.From Grand Prix to cricket I can see it all and not get tired of it.
By now, you would have know why in hell am i creating such a background. Obviously i write for sports and this happens to be my job as well.
I am going to add pictures continuously to my blog here and will update with latest sports news as well. bear with me if the updation happens too quickly.
Bye for now
VINOD
By now, you would have know why in hell am i creating such a background. Obviously i write for sports and this happens to be my job as well.
I am going to add pictures continuously to my blog here and will update with latest sports news as well. bear with me if the updation happens too quickly.
Bye for now
VINOD
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