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It is a situation that demanded AP Olympic Association, the apex sports body in the State, which controls the hosting of the Nationals and selection of State teams, to act tough. And for a change, it did in the form of a detailed note touching various other subjects for the benefit of sports minister R. Damodar Reddy.

Lagadapati Rajagopal, MP and president of APOA, who chaired a series of review meetings recently culminating in the release of a sports directory, is optimistic of a change for the good. “We are not against any individual. All we are looking for is restoration of some simple rights for the benefit of sports and not for us as individuals,” he asserted.

“It is common knowledge that number of coaches dwindled over the last decade, because of retirements and also because of utilising the services of coaches for administrative work. Instead, we propose that proper running scale be fixed for the coaches and performance-based incentives also be given to them. Giving cash incentives to players and ignoring coaches is a disincentive factor,” the APOA says on another crucial subject.

Interestingly, APOA also addressed itself suggesting that there should be a minimum gap of three years between the same type of nationals i.e. seniors, juniors and sub-juniors for any association which is seeking financial aid from the SAAP. Reacting to the recent controversies of some associations hosting international events, APOA says that no international event be recognised and financial assistance extended, unless six countries actually take part in the event.

The other relevant point raised was regarding cash incentives by SAAP. “Any one of the three following guidelines may be accepted: Results of a Nationals certified by the federation, merit certificates issued by the federation, particulars of the medal winner of AP as given by federation.”

Quite surprisingly, APOA feels that the cash awards may be pegged for the National Games at Rs.1 lakh for gold, Rs.75,000 for silver and Rs.50,000 for bronze.

To handle the contentious issue of bogus certificates, APOA feels it is time to have a full-fledged data programmed for easy retrieval (according to game, period, age group, sex etc.) should be created for participants of players/teams representing Andhra Pradesh in different nationals, zonal and inter zonal championships, Federation Cup and recognised international events.

“It may not be a bad idea for APOA to be involved in the scrutiny process when sportspersons seek admission to professional colleges and other benefits,” the note suggested.

APOA is clearly banking on a tripartite meeting involving it, the SAAP and the Sports Minister to sort out all contentious issues as early as possible.

V.V. SUBRAHMANYAM

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