Sports neglected in state budget: Expert

Manjunath Hadimani | NT

Bengaluru: The sports quota in this year’s State budget can at best be termed a consolation prize. But this is what has been happening year after year at the annual grand event.

A mere Rs 100 crore has been announced to provide modern sports equipment and a bit of that to upgrade state- and district-level stadia. The assured money is certainly not going to make a big difference to sporting facilities in the state.

‘Kreeda Ankanas’ take away the highest share in the sports section with Rs 504 cr. It will be constructed in the limits of all gram panchayats, which is supposed to encourage rural and native sports.

In what is considered to be a good move, the second edition of Khelo India University Games – 2021 that was postponed due to Covid will be held in Bengaluru this year. Over 8,000 sportspersons are expected to participate in 20 different sports in the meet.

A humble Rs 10 lakh will be awarded to the chosen 75 players, with 2024 Olympics and Paralympics in mind, under ‘Amrutha Kreeda Dathu Yojane’

Wrestlers aged over 50 will get a piece of the consolation for they have been promised an increase in monthly allowance from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000.

‘Zero focus on Infra’
“The budget is very disappointing after what our stars showcased in the recently concluded Olympics,” said Joseph Hoover, a sports expert.

In India, we need to focus more on infrastructure, which we are not at all talking about in the budget. If a player is injured, we have to send them to a foreign country because we don’t have proper facilities. If we continue to ignore sports, then how will we achieve results?” Joseph questioned.

He further added that it is impossible to upgrade all stadia in the State with the allocated Rs 100 crore; for example, refurbishing Kanteerava Stadium itself will take up about Rs 20 cr.

Trashing the Rs 10 lakh offered for 75 players, Joseph said “It has surely come as a big disappointment. We must provide an equal platform for every competitor.”

(With inputs from Mohammed Rumman Khan)