Assam’s first Arjun Award sprinter Bhogswar Barua has criticized the state government’s sports policy, saying the government is not taking enough steps to identify and nurture talent in rural areas.
“It is a pity that Assam has not produced athletes anywhere. Earlier, we used to organize training camps to attract new talents, but that is no longer happening.” 1966 Asian Games 8 said Baruah, the 100m gold medalist. PTI.
The 84-year-old said the government has hired many coaches who can be sent to various regions to organize such camps and conduct training, but such initiatives have not happened.
“If there are no coaches, how do we develop athletes? If there are any sports events, the children will be taken there to participate. If there are no training, no summer camps, how will our children improve? “If there are any competitions, the children will be Call and attend – this is Assam’s sports policy,” Barua said.
Barua, who won gold and silver medals at the 1966 and 1970 Asian Games respectively, accused the government of only encouraging those who achieved success on their own.
“Has the government made anyone become a sportsperson? The government has not screened and selected talent from the grassroots. When someone shines, only the government steps in. This is what is happening today,” he said.
Barua said no sports camp has been organized in the state for nearly six to seven years.
“If they (the government) are interested, I will be interested too. I will definitely go there and give some advice to the athletes. When the government has no ideas, no intentions, no goals, what can I do?” he said.
Barua earlier said two to three such camps used to be organized every year but questioned why it was stopped.
“You ask the sporting director. They haven’t organized a training camp in years! Why isn’t that happening now?” he said.
Barua claimed that he had repeatedly requested the officials concerned to conduct sports camps but received no response.
“I even looked for equipment that said we were going to have a camp. Have at least one set of training obstacles. A line needed 10 obstacles, but we chose five for training purposes. No long jumpers, pole vaulters — —Nothing,” he claimed.
When asked if the matter was discussed with the state sports minister, Barua said he could not meet him to discuss the matter due to his age.
Talking about the future of sports in Assam, Baruah said: “I have nothing to say. I will say what is right. There has been no camp at all during the tenure of this government.” The Assam government is currently The second edition of ‘Khel Maharan’ was organized with the aim of identifying and nurturing rural talent through grassroots competition.
“All sportspersons are in villages. We have to look for them and nurture them. Rural sports is the only way to find real talent, otherwise we don’t get it,” Barua said when asked about ‘Khel Maharan’.
In 2021, the Assam government decided to designate September 3 as “Sports Day” to celebrate Barua’s birthday.
Barua heaped praise on Asian Games gold medalist Seema Das and Olympic medalist boxer Lovrina Borgohain, saying their success was largely due to the efforts of their parents.
“There is nothing the government can take credit for,” he added.
Barua recalls advising Das to improve his running skills.
“Before, she was running straight. Then I asked her to lean forward a little and she did it. I asked her to bend her upper body. Now, she is doing well. Her body is very strong,” he said of the sprinter athlete.
