Chandigarh, March 20
Raising strong objections to the reply given by the Central Government in the Lok Sabha regarding the poor condition of sports grounds in Haryana, Sirsa MP, former Cabinet Minister and Congress National General Secretary Kumari Selja said that the attitude of the Central Government is extremely unfortunate and objectionable. In a statement issued to the media, she said that Haryana is the state that has brought nearly 33 per cent of India’s Olympic medals, but ironically, the same state is being neglected when it comes to sports facilities, with the Central Government washing its hands of responsibility.
Selja said that the reply given by the Sports Minister was an attempt to evade responsibility. She clearly stated that neither the Central Government nor the State Government is taking any concrete and effective steps to improve sports grounds in a state brimming with sporting talent like Haryana. Referring to the incident in Rohtak, she said that due to dilapidated sports grounds, players have even lost their lives, which is extremely tragic and worrying. This is not just negligence but a betrayal of the future and lives of athletes.
Selja demanded that all sports grounds in Haryana be immediately reviewed and repaired, and that players be provided with safe and modern facilities. She emphasized that the Central Government cannot shirk its responsibility by merely calling sports a “state subject.” Expressing deep dissatisfaction with the reply given by the Sports Minister in the Lok Sabha, she warned that if corrective measures are not taken in time, it will amount to injustice to the country’s sporting talent.
