NEW DELHI: Now, the Railway Sports Promotion Board wants to be part of the National Games as a new team. In an interesting move, the RSPB has applied to the Indian Olympic Association for independent recognition so that they can participate at the National Games like the Services Sports Promotion Board team.
In a letter addressed to IOA president N Ramachandran, the RSPB has said that like Services, they should also be allowed to participate in the Games.
The decision to allow Railways to participate as a team, however, will not be easy. First the executive committee of the IOA has to give its nod before the general assembly agrees. Only then will it get ratified.
“We are one of the largest recruiters of athletes in the country and we have been pushing for Railways to be included in the National Games,” RSPB secretary Rekha Yadav told Express. “We have written to the IOA and so far the talks have been encouraging. State units are a little worried as they feel we will not give NOCs to all our players. But that is not our plan. Except for one or two athletes in a discipline, we are ready to allow them to represent their respective states,” Rekha said on Tuesday. Services too allow other players who don’t get selected in their team.
“Yes we have received a letter from the Railways but it’s too early to say anything right now,”
Ramachandran told Express. “It has to follow procedure. It will go to the Executive council and then to the general assembly for ratification. Can’t say anything right now.”
It has been learnt the state associations are not very keen on this as the top athletes would then be divided among two institutions — Services and Railways — something not ideal for healthy competition. Besides some IOA members feel the structure of the Railways is completely different. They only employ athletes, not train them, which is done by the respective federations and Sports Authority of India. Services, meanwhile, have their own training programme, right from the grassroots. Services have voting rights in the IOA too.
The RSPB, keeping this in mind, is now planning to increase the number of support staff like physios and trainers. They are also planning to set up athletics centres in Hyderabad and Rae Bareilly, where they will have synthetic tracks.
“We want to give our athletes the best possible facilities. It is always an added advantage if you have support staff. We have also decided to lay a synthetic track in Hyderabad and very soon, even in Rae Bareilly,” Yadav said.
venkatakrishna@newindianexpress.com