IMPHAL, FEB 21: About 3,500 sportspersons, including Asian Games gold winner Dingko Singh, silver medalist Anil Kumar and ace shooter Jaspal Rana have forged a union and urged the prime minister to help stem the further deterioration in sports.Asian Games discus throw silver medallist Anil Kumar, who has been among the most vocal athletes in the recent years, addressed a joint press conference here today, along with Jaspal Rana and Dingko Singh to announce the formation of the Sportsmen Union of India. Anil said the union has been formed in course of the ongoing National Games. He claimed the support of other prominent sportpersons like Bahadur Singh, Dhanraj Pillay, PT Usha, Ashis Ballal and Geet Sethi. Apart from the trio, Limba Ram, Geet Sethi, Ashis Balal and Yashpal Chhabra have been included in the executive committee.``Many of us have been receiving a raw deal. We want to change all that,'' Anil said. Rana added their fight was against the entire system and not just the government or anyfederation. Anil pointed out the entire budget for sports in India is Rs 140 crore while the National Games alone costs over Rs 150 crore. Even in the budgetary allocation, Anil said, 70 per cent is devoted towards the maintenance of the stadias and sports structure. ``Sports Authority of India is spending most of the money on the staff who are doing just paperwork at the offices. None of them are actually available for the sportspersons,'' Anil added. Among the first jobs of the union will be to persuade the government to increase the sports budget.Rana has been complaining for long that he is not being allowed to import pistol which will help improve his position in international arena. Dingko, of course, almost did not make it to the Asian Games due to an administrative oversight. Apart from these instances, the sportsmen reasoned a platform was required for the improvement of sports in the country. The union will hold a meeting in Delhi on March 5 where matters will be sorted out and a final shape willbe give to the things.Rana said, ``It is sad there are no facilities for us. But it is shocking they do not even have the intention to improve sports in the country.'' Comparing the facilities given to cricketers, Dingko Singh regretted other sportspersons were subjected to so much of discrepancy. The union would not send any of its members to any of the committees of the different sporting federations even if they were asked to join. ``Our fight is against the system and for the revival of sports. We do not want to get into the politics of the governing bodies,'' Anil said.Asked if cricketers could also join their union, Anil said, ``they are welcome if they sympathise with our problems. If they want us to fight for any of their causes we are ready.'' He informed that apart from athletes, the Indian Olympic Association secretary general Randhir Singh had enrolled as a member of the union. CHHANU injured: The national record holder in women's 40kg weightlifting, Sanamacha Chhanu of Manipur was injuredin a road accident yesterday. She was returning to the Games Viilage from her home when a Maruti she was travelling in was hit by a bus from behind. She received cuts on her forehead and required stitches. She is stated to be of out of danger. Chhanu had bagged the gold in the 48kg weightlifting event ahead of Kunjarani Devi, with a new National record of 182.5 kg.
