Pandemic hits sports-loving students
Sportsmen keep their hopes high on selection for various games to prove their talent, but there exists no opportunity now
KAKINADA: The Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected students who are interested in sports and games. There are no sports activities and competitions, championships and school-college-university game contests for the past two years due to the pandemic.
Sportsmen keep their hopes high on the selections for various games to prove their talent, but there exists no opportunity now as educational institutions remain closed since last March 2020. Students want to participate in district, state or national-level games, but many have crossed their age.
The state and central governments are providing reservations under sports quota for admissions to higher studies and for government jobs. But, for the past two years, they are losing these opportunities, said Dr Sparjan Raju, the East Godavari district Olympic association joint secretary.
He said sports improved the immunity power of participants and sportsmen and women can keep away from several diseases including Covid-19 due to this immunity. While playing, they can avoid touching the bodies of other participants. That alone will do. In a majority of the games except Kabaddi or wrestling or Judo, personal touch is not required. This is a guarantee against Covid-19 spread among them, Raju said.
East Godavari Sports Authority Stadium chief coach Suresh Kumar said, “We were used to organise school, college, inter-varsity, inter-state, national and international games every year in schools and universities. Due to suspension of these sports activities since last year, the students lost two seasons and they could not participate in competitions. There were no selections and many of the sports persons were not able to do their practice regularly. This can adversely affect their skills and they will not be well-equipped, thus, to face the competitions at national and international levels.
He also said that the Olympic Calendar also is not being implemented as per schedule due to the Covid19 spread. Sports persons requested the state and central governments to give relaxations vis-à-vis sports quotas for their career enhancement and personal future.