Former Sports Minister M Vijayakumar on Thursday alleged that the UDF government was taking decisions on its own without considering or involving the Sports Council. With special reference to the A K Pandya Commission Report, Vijayakumar said that state’s sports policy should not be based on any mere agenda but should also cater to the development of sports in the state.
He was speaking at a discussion organised by the District Sports Council on ‘State sports policy and school syllabus’ at Press Club on Thursday. During the discussion, the speakers pointed out the importance of introduction of sports education in schools along with mainstream education. They also did not approve of the government’s amendments to the sports policy.
Former Sports Council president T P Dasan emphasised the need for adequate sports teachers in schools. He alleged that in around 700 schools, not even a single sports education teacher had been appointed. He also stressed the need for sports universities, which will have a wide aspect of education related to sports and not just exist as mere training centres.
District Sports Council president D Mohan welcomed the gathering. Participants included Ramakrishnan Nair, Kuruvila Stanley, Rajan Babu and former KSSC presidents. Also present were state sports association representatives, district association representatives and other eminent personalities in the field of sports.