Srinagar, August 27: A lecturer on deputation heading J&K Sports Council’s State Cricket Academy has yet again arisen questions as qualified sportsmen ask ‘where should we go?’
The lecturer, who is a former cricketer with some coaching courses to his name, was appointed as director of cricket academy when both State Cricket Academy and State Football Academy were formed by the then secretary, J&K Sports Council, Waheed Para. However, as Para resigned, the academy has almost become defunct, making known sportsmen question its existence.
“Firstly, it’s really disheartening to see a person from the education department heading a sports academy. It seems as if there are no sportsmen in J&K. Secondly, I want to ask what exactly is he doing there?”, A former cricketer, wishing not to be named, said.
These academies were launched with an aim of grooming the young talent of J&K. However, several years on, there rarely has been any progress. Demanding appointment of ‘deserving candidates’ in sports departments, another sportsman took a dig at Sports Council,
“We sweat it out our whole life on the ground but when it comes to hail us for making the state proud, we are ignored. Lecturers are directors of state academies and we are here applying for Class IV jobs; this defines the state of affairs. I’m really disappointed with the Sports Council”, another athlete from Jammu said.
The athletes also questioned the amount of salary that these deputed officials are taking. They claim that at least five employees could be managed by the salary a single one of them are taking.
“You are giving a huge monthly salary to these people on deputation in the Sports Council for doing nothing. At the same time, you are happy to leave us, the unemployed qualified coaches, to strive. In this salary, the Council can employ 5 to 10 coaches on contractual basis,” the athlete said.
“One fails to understand as the Cricket Academy is almost defunct from years now, what is this Director doing? You already have Parvez Rasool and Abid Nabi as employees of the council who can fulfill this role without any extra burden. Sports Council should relieve this person and in his place give employment to youth who deserve it,” the cricketer said.
Reportedly, the Sports Council Employees had also raised this issue in its representation to the Government recently, but there has been no headway as of yet.
KSW tried to reach Secretary, J&K Sports Council for his comment on the matter. As and when he responds, the story will be updated.