THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Olympian P T Usha has shot of a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to protest against School Games Federation of India (SGFI) move to hold separate national games for boys and girls in Nashik and Pune respectively .
She urged the Prime Minister to look into the matter personally and direct the SGFI to hold combined games for boys and girls on the same dates.
"It is shocking news for the Indian sports community. Whatever may be the reason behind the move, it is totally undemocratic and highly condemnable. When the world is crying loudly against gender discrimination and for equality among men and women. The attitude of SGFI cannot be justified. Separate competitions for boys ad girls or men and women were held only in very olden days. ," said.
“I have also written to Maharashtra chief minister and sports minister. It is against the Olympics Charter. It’s been ages since India signed the charter. SGFI will not only be violating it but also the bylaws laid down for sports activities,” she told DC.
Do we have separate Olympics for men and women? she asked. “Sports is a unifying factor as it brings everyone together irrespective of religion, caste, language and region,” she said.
Usha said there was an attempt to push the country back into ancient times. Another Olympian Anju Bobby George said the move was against the spirit of Olympic movement.
“It is a wrong practice. Such a thing has never happened. National school games is the biggest gathering of youngsters in sports arena. The games will lose its charm if you separate boys and girls venue. If Maharashtra Government is firm on holding the games separately then government should allot the event to any other state which is willing to organise it jointly, she added.
“I don’t think the sports federations would agree to separate games. It must be the idea of local organisers. But it is clearly against the spirit of athletics,” said Bobby George, he husband and coach. “Tomorrow they will call for separate training camps, coaches, mess, grounds for men and women athletes. Are we in Iran or Saudi Arabia ? Such regressive steps should be nipped in the bud before they become a precedent,” he added.
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