The next generation of sportspersons are in for a tough time with the state’s sports hostels continuing to remain closed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
But due to the sheer love for sport and the will to excel, a dozen boys in the junior category from the sports hostel in Agra are residing in the city on their own expense, so that they do not miss out on the training imparted to them at the Eklavya Sports Stadium in the city.
“The Eklavya Sports Stadium hostels house about 75 aspiring junior level players. There are 35 girls being trained in gymnastics, kabaddi and basketball, while 40 boys are being trained in gymnastics and table tennis. They were residing in three hostels for girls and two hostels for boys,” said Ram Milan, the deputy sports officer at the stadium.
“With the outbreak of the pandemic early in Agra, these boys and girls had to leave the hostel and return to their hometowns, as they mostly came from eastern Uttar Pradesh, including districts of Varanasi, Azamgarh, Mau, Prayagraj, etc.” stated Ram Milan.
These sports persons are chosen after a tough competition at the district, then regional and then state level. They undergo a 15-day central coaching camp and after physical and skill training, merit is prepared and hostels are allocated to them.
To continue to be at a hostel to avail training, these boys and girls have to participate in national level games within 3 years and in junior level national within 5 years. They are below 12 years when admitted in hostels and are trained for particular sports while continuing their studies.
{{/usCountry}}To continue to be at a hostel to avail training, these boys and girls have to participate in national level games within 3 years and in junior level national within 5 years. They are below 12 years when admitted in hostels and are trained for particular sports while continuing their studies.
{{/usCountry}}There are many schools who wish to have these sports-oriented students as they bring laurels to the institution. The fee for these students is paid by the government which also bears their expenses when they travel to participate in tournaments.
“These boys and girls have missed their training since the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020 and had returned for some time before the second wave in April 2021 struck. As such, there has been a long break for these boys and girls,” said Ram Milan, but could offer little as a solution.
“There are private sports academies in Prayagraj with whom our boys and girls often have competitions. These private academies in Prayagraj have re-opened but we await a go-ahead from the authorities. I fear our students will lag behind,” the deputy sports officer said.
“We could not arrange for the girls but we arranged residence for 12 out of 15 boys and kept them in the city area so that they can attend training for gymnastics at Eklavya Sports stadium. However, families of these boys have to bear the expenses which come to roughly to ₹3,000 a month for a boy including charges for their lodging, food etc,” said Ram Milan.
However, most parents find it tough to bear such expenditure because of financial constraints in these testing times. The sports authorities admit that financial constraints do matter and ultimately, the solution lies in having these young players in the hostel but precautions during these pandemic times too are unavoidable.