Srinagar: In a classic example of how the non-sports background persons are ruling roost in J&K State Sports Council, Judo coach, Thang-Ta and Yoga instructors were appointed by Kashmir based sports officer to conduct selection trials of Water sports event.
The water sports trials of dragon boat have been hit by litigation between the two factions of the water sports, J&K Kayaking and Canoeing Association and J&K Water Sports Association. The later conducted the selection trials recently at Nehru park water sports centre that was attended by around 200 players. Secretary Sports Council was guest on the occasion and was impressed by the trials held.
However, when the Council was about to conduct screening of selected players, objection was raised by Kashmir based Sports Officer, Mushtaq Ahmad about the ongoing Court case between two factions.
According to sources close to officer, he later in consultation with some instructors in Council, decided to field dragon boat team in national under the banner of sports Council. He at the same time also decided that news selection trials of players would be conducted by three appointed selectors of sports Council. The selectors’ include one Judo coach, one Thang-Ta instructor and one Yoga instructor.
The decision like this coming from the sports body like Sports Council has shocked sports fraternity and they say if council decides like this then why to blame sports ministry that include no sports person for similar decision.
“ It is shock to see sports officer appointing Thang-Ta, yoga and judo officials for selecting water sports team. We are unable to understand what kind of team they will select and what will be they see while selecting players,” said a known sports person.
Another sportsperson said that these three appointed selectors have failed in their own fields and now they will make it sure to destroy water sports that have been bringing laurels for the State over the years.
The sportspersons have appealed secretary sports council, Waheed ur Rehman Parra to intervene in the matter and appoint water sports back ground players, officials for selecting team and stop process being turned into joke.