Other States - Puducherry

Sports quota: association alleges irregularities in selection of students

PUDUCHERRY: The Pondicherry Sportsmen Welfare Association on Tuesday said there were irregularities in selection of students under sports quota for admission to engineering courses through the Centralised Admission Committee (CENTAC).

Addressing a press conference, association General Secretary M. Ilangovan said the Centre had recognised 58 games for the quota.

However, sportspersons in volleyball, football, kabadi and cricket alone were considered for the quota in CENTAC selection.

“In Tamil Nadu, five seats per course have been allotted for sports quota, whereas there is only one seat per course in Puducherry,” he said.

The Sports Department should be separated from the Education Department, he added.

Association president K. Valavan said, “There is only one stadium in Puducherry. But it is not being maintained properly. No security personnel are appointed here.”

He urged the government to form a welfare board for sportspersons and come up with a free insurance scheme for them.

“The government had decided to construct a stadium for every commune a few years ago. Till date, not a single stadium has been established,” Mr. Valavan said.

The association also said that the government had not given cash awards to sportspersons in the last three years citing lack of funds.

“If the government fails to look into our demands, we will organise a massive protest across Puducherry,” he said.

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