A long lull in sporting activity! Yes, courtesy the on-going political developments, most of the State Sports Associations have preferred to stay indoors. Otherwise, under normal circumstances, there would have been a spate of announcements by now about the events lined up for at least the next three months.
With the exception of Hyderabad Cricket Association, there is no other such body with its headquarters in the City that has had any kind of meeting to chart out the course of action in the New Year, leave alone have a calendar in place. Interestingly, the talk even in the Sports Associations is as to how long will many of them retain the ‘unified' identity. “We are not sure how to react as of now but are keen to have a feel of how things will turn out once the political developments take a definite shape,” says a senior official of AP Olympic Association on condition of anonymity. The other major worry is that given the serious disruption in the schedule, the State selections for the different nationals are also bound to suffer and we might end up choosing by chance rather than by merit, he says.
A classic example is the formation of the Hockey Andhra Pradesh which is pointed out to be a truly, democratically-elected body by the representatives of all the District units concerned. But within a few days of its formation and with lots of promises, the political scenario has changed dramatically so much that even HAP is not planning to organise any events as of now. Even some of the inter-school tournaments are yet to be finalised.
The whole scenario presents a picture of confusion. A tinge of worry and a feeling of unease is too palpable to be ignored. Clearly, all those concerned are eagerly waiting for things to settle down at the earliest so that some initiatives can be taken to put the sporting activity back on the competition map.
The customary New Year greetings too are missing this year from most of these officials. All signs which do not portray well for the future of sports itself when the focus shifts to finding sponsors. A gap in sporting activity which is too long is not really a healthy sign. Ironically, in a field which is always looked as a apolitical tool for social change.
