Jammu, Sept 13: Social media was filled with criticism on Sunday, after pictures of coaches belonging to Jammu and Kashmir Sports Council were posted showing them ‘engaged’ in fixing banners for an event of e-Foundation of sports stadium went viral.
Union Ministers Dr Jitendra Singh and Kiren Rijiju on Saturday laid the e-Foundation of Arun Jaitley Memorial Sports Complex at Hiranagar in Kathua district.
However, the coaches of different discipline besides some senior officials and other staff, were seen putting up banners for the event in parts of Jammu city, which went viral on different platforms on social media apps like Whatsapp, Facebook, Instagram which invited criticism from the netizens.
Many slammed the department saying that coaches are the ‘mentors’, ‘gurus’ and teachers and treating them in this manner is not welcomed and it is heart wrenching.
Former cricketer, administrator and sports promoter, Ranjit Kalra, said, “Why are senior coaches of the Sports Council being treated like labour class…?”
“Climbing walls and bridges across the city to fix banners,” he said, further adding, “Could an agency not be hired…..or the other class IV staff not assist them.”
“Coaches are teachers, are revered by everyone. Do not lower their dignity”, he rued.
Some of the coaches engaged in the task are “Parshuram” awardees, the highest sports award in Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian Wushu team coach, Kuldeep Handoo in his reaction said, “Very shocking to learn that coaches are being made to fix banners. Coaches alias Guru are most revered persons in the field of sports.”
“Aptly said by someone that coaches, parents and players changes the world. Respect coaches,” he lamented.
Mr Handoo has recently been conferred with Dronacharya Award by the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind.
Another coach, Atul Pangotra, deputed with the J&K Department of Youth Services and Sports, said, “we totally agreed. These coaches are nation builders and we must give respect to them as I am also a coach and authorities treated these senior Coaches like Labour. Respect.”
Some people said that a Coach is a Guru and that’s why the coaches receive Dronacharya Awards.
“Can we have the Gurus work while the disciples watch. Something to really think and ponder about,” said another coach from Kashmir on social media.
However, another said, “Coaches are nation builders not building or block builders stop treating them as Footwear … coachs makes a stadium a place where National international sportspersons are groomed.”
“Please for the sake of god don’t give such a bad treatment to our coaches. Me being a professional coach feels very bad for all of them. Jai Hind”
Once completed, the new sports complex will have features like synthetic track for athletics, skating rink, synthetic turf football ground, synthetic hockey field, tuck shop, boxing rink, multi-purpose hall, cricket ground, swimming pool, illumination of the stadium, pavilion with all basic facilities.
The sports stadium of international repute is dedicated to the former union minister and BJP stalwart Arun Jaitley in bordering Hiranagar town of Kathua district.
Hiranagar, a small township in Jammu and Kashmir, will be on India’s national map, after the completion of state-of-the-art Multiple Youth and Sports Complex, named after Arun Jaitley.
