Varsity gets unsporting with colleges

The university argues that losses are incurred if teams do not turn up for a match. But principals counter that it is colleges that foot the bill for entry fees and other charges for sports activities. Also, the university failedto intimate colleges about such a step, said principals. Colleges have also challenged the sports director8217;s right to impose any kind of penalty, saying that only the Management Council has the power to do so.

The penalty has been imposed on at least four colleges for non-participation in inter-collegiate events held last year. For instance, Hazarimal Somani college has been asked to pay Rs 160 for not participating in two games last year. Lala Lajpatrai college has been asked to pay Rs 75 for not taking part in last year8217;s kho-kho tournament.

But colleges claim there is another side to the story. Lala college authorities argued that the notification regarding the date of the tournament reached the college after the game was over. In a letter written to the sports director, the college claimed that while the kho-kho tournament was held on September 30, 1998, the circular about the date of the event reached the college only on October 2. The circular though was dated September 24.

But, says Principal M GShirahatti, 8220;Had we known the event was going to take place, we would have definitely participated.8221; In fact, the college should ask for a refund as it had lost out on an opportunity due to 8220;administrative default8221; on the part of the university, the letter says.The problem is a different one at Vivek College of Commerce, Goregaon. While the college has been asked to pay a fine of Rs 250, Principal C Unnikrishnan says the college team had indeed participated in the match. 8220;It must have been an error on their part, and we have written to them about it,8221; says the principal.

College authorities also counter that they pay entry fees for every sports event ranging from Rs 200 to 300. There is also a lumpsum to be paid by colleges every year, depending on the number of students. An amount, Rs 10 for instance, is collected from each student as sports fees and submitted to the university. Also, fine is a punishment and before it is imposed, everyone must be given a chance to be heard, principals say.

To topit all, the sports department issued a circular on June 25 regarding the payment of annual sports contribution for the year 1999-2000. The sports department stated that disciplinary action is proposed to be taken against colleges which do not contribute. This includes a proposal to not consider the application for continuation of affiliation, not to accept the applications for various university examinations or not to declare the results of students belonging to defaulting colleges, among other things.

The explanation of the Director of Physical Education and Sports U N Kendre is that several colleges are playing hookey, and a penalty is the only way to make them toe the line. 8220;Several teams do not turn up for the matches and we have to incur a lot of expenditure, we8217;ve to pay officiating charges. The opponent team, referees, everyone has to wait for the other team,8221; he told Express Newsline.

Last year, one team played truant thrice, and the match had to be rescheduled as many times, Kendre says.8220;If the college intimates us about its inability to attend, then we are not going to charge penalty,8221; he adds. Also, colleges are intimated well in advance about the game, he says, adding that even at the inter-university level, penalty is charged for non-participation. Some colleges also do not pay the sports fees, and as it is the only source of income for the department, it affects the organisation of inter-collegiate events, Kendre adds.