The new centralised format of Delhi University's sports trials to begin from this year has set off a debate on the campus with a section of the sports fraternity criticising the move.
The changes which have come after almost 20 years have left some feeling that there is much to be desired.
Opposition was expressed at a meeting of the DU Sports Council on May 10 when the guidelines were discussed and a five-member committee was formed to explore the possibility of revisiting the new guidelines.
Dr. Anita Ghosh, a committee member, says: “The input of the sports teachers should have been taken while framing the new guidelines.”
Questioning the 75 per cent weightage to certificates and 25 per cent to trials, Dr. Ghosh says: “Sports is about performance rather than certificates.”
According to the new format, zonal players would supposedly get more weightage than national level players. The guidelines do not state anything about attestation of certificates either, said a source.As per the new criteria, marks would be allotted on the basis of best performance in any one of the three preceding years. This criterion, some teachers feel, does not credit the consistency or dedication of the applicant. “A student may perform in a sport in Class X and gather certificates and then quit playing in Class XI or XII. Such a student may get admission as opposed to others who have been playing regularly,” says a teacher.
The other criterion that has invited flak is of direct admission for students who have represented the country at an international level in a sport.
Physical Education teacher at Lady Shri Ram College and international swimmer Meenakshi Pahuja says: “It would be a good idea if DU considers revisiting the new guidelines for the benefit of athletes and aspirants.”
The centralised system will solve the problem of rampant backdoor entry, says DU Deputy Proctor Novy Kapadia.
“There are other malpractices too. Some individuals are admitted through the sports quota because they are good at a particular game -- they help the college win major tournaments and once the tournaments finish, they leave mid-way,” she adds.
Dean of Students' Welfare Prof. S. K. Vij says: “We are giving more weight to certificates as they reflect achievements and are objective. Trials can be very subjective. The centralised trials would help promote transparency.”
