No coaches at stadiums in Jammu, players suffer

Jammu: Despite the construction of a number of stadiums in the Jammu Division by the J&K State Sports Council, sportspersons of far-flung districts continue to be deprived of practice due to non-availability of coaches at these stadiums.

Sources said except Jammu district, wherein MA Stadium, the premier sports training centre, has ample coaches in different disciplines, other districts of the region are facing a shortage of instructors.

Sports training centres in Doda, Rajouri, Reasi and Samba districts are without coaches since long, which has affected the prospects of enrollment of players in different games at these venues.

Sources further said there was only one coach available at Poonch sports stadium, two at Udhampur stadium and one in Kathua district, catering to a large number of trainees.

There is not even a single instructor available at Hiranagar stadium in Kathua district, Gurah Slathia and Smailpur stadiums in Samba district and RS Pura stadium in Jammu district. There is maximum deployment of coaches at MA Stadium and other sports training centres with its periphery.

“There is no logic of constructing stadiums in the districts if the Sports Council cannot provide coaches. If coaches are made available, the trainees will no longer have to cover long distances to attend training sessions at MA Stadium. They can attend them at their respective coaching centres,” a sportsperson said.

“Few months ago, the matter was discussed in a letter sent to the advisor of the Governor. It was mentioned that Centrally sponsored schemes were not being implemented in J&K unlike other states,” another player said.

Naseem Javed Choudhary, Secretary, J&K State Sports Council, told The Tribune “We agree that many sports training centres, including the newly constructed ones, do not have enough instructors. In fact, we have tried to sort out the issue but due to the ongoing code of conduct for elections, it did not happen”.

“After the General elections, we will try to streamline the process by ensuring availability of coaches at the stadiums in different districts,” he maintained. (The Tribune)