Prof. V. K. Malhotra lambasts Sports Ministry on Olympic preparations
The Acting President of Indian Olympic Association, Prof. Vijay Kumar Malhotra, lambasted the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports for loosing sight of Olympic Games 2012 and concentrating more on bringing in the draconian legislation to mar the autonomy of National Sports Federations.
Prof. Malhotra expressed his anguish over the pitiable condition of the National Coaching Camps being conducted in various Centres supposedly in preparation for the International events including the Olympic Games 2012. Indian Hockey team's lackadaisical preparation, players outburst for not having any proper facilities, not even support staff, has already attracted severe criticism in the media.
The Shooters, who have been bring laurels to the Country and brought Individual Gold Medal in 2008 Olympic Games have to face the new order to get license for their Air Gun & Air Pistol, thanks to the Sports Ministry, which remained a silent spectator instead of coming forward to the rescue of the Shooting fraternity and pleading for the cause of sports. Now every single Shooter who was practising leisurely at various home ranges, have to run from pillar to post to get license for his Air Gun or Air pistol instead of concentrating on practice and improving the score.
Similar is the fate of Archery Training Camp at SAI Eastern Centre, Kolkata, where every single day one after another scandal surface and allegations of sub-standard food, sub-standard living condition an out of control staff come to light and inspite of several complaints by the Archers and the National Coach, no action has been taken to improve the condition. Archers have been clamouring for latest equipment including the consumables and they are getting mere promises for the last two years. After Shooting, it is Archery which has every chance of winning medal in the Olympic Games 2012. However, both Sports Ministry and Sports Authority of India are in the grip of ostrich like mentality as they do not wish to see the reality of the National Camps. They are more busy in getting the support for their draconian legislation by threatening to withdraw all financial support if the National Sports Federations do not succumb to their pressure.
The shift of attention from Olympic Games preparation to passing the Sports Legislation will only jeopardize the India's Olympic preparation. Prof. Malhotra mentioned that he would soon convene a meeting of the National Sports Federations involved in Olympic Preparations to take stock of the situation and to decide the future course of action.
