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Journalism of Courage
In what was his first press conference after taking over the reins of Director General of Sports Authority of India (SAI) in March earlier this year,Jiji Thomson made it clear that he meant business. On his way back from Shilaroo,where he had gone for the review of the SAI high altitude training centre,Jiji stopped in Chandigarh for some time to brief the media. He reiterated the point which was taken by Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Youth Affairs & Sports,Jitendra Singh during the 40th meeting of the governing body of SAI in August earlier this year: to set up a new SAI training centre in Zirakpur under Design,Build,Operate and Transfer (DBOT) mode .
“We want to build a world-class centre in Chandigarh. We have already identified the land for the same but we are yet to get approval from the Punjab Chief Minister. I am coming back to Chandigarh later this month to meet with secretary of the Punjab Chief Minister to discuss the matter. It will be a modern training centre,even better than the SAI Centre we have in Sonepat,” said Jiji.
Meanwhile,Jiji defended the decision to open SAI extension centres in and around Chandigarh like the Panjab University,Chandigarh under the STC/SAG scheme. “There are some exceptional players in the region and we needed to supplement them and provide them with facilities and infrastructure. Also,we select talented children in various sports disciplines,” added Jiji.
In defenCe
Meanwhile,talking about the plans to upgrade facilities at SAI Centre at Shilaroo,located at an altitude of 8,000 feet,Jiji informed the setting up of a six-lane 200 metre synthetic track and 400 metre field at the periphery. Also,a modern gymnasium hall will come up at the centre.
“We were told that the SAI Centre at Shilaroo was being under utilised,which in fact is not correct. There were no camps at the centre when renovation was going on. Otherwise it has been fully functional. Right now,the Indian junior women hockey team in practising there. The governing body of SAI had authorised a committee to look into the matter and suggest what needed to be done there. So,the committee members visited Shilaroo two-three weeks ago and came up with their suggestions. It is the result of their suggestions that we have come up with this decision. The main drawback was the non-availability of athletic track and now we are sorting it out,” he said.
Jiji also hinted that another high-altitude training centre would be set up in Shillong in the near future. Till now,Shilaroo is the only high-altitude training centre in India that is meant for building stamina and endurance of the players. “Once we upgrade the facilities,we are looking at the prospects of attracting SAARC countries to send their players here for training. It will not only give competition exposure to the players but also help in generating revenue. Also,like our “Come and Play” scheme,we will invite children from the near-by villages to come and utilise the facilities at Shilaroo at a nominal fee. We can extend some programmes for them and we will shift near-by SAI coaches to provide training to them. We are reviewing all out schemes one by one and working on it,” informed Jiji.
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