Malappuram: The Kerala government’s decision for a year’s ban on all state-sponsored events has cast a possible stalemate on the annual school athletic meet. There is apprehension that authorities may restrict the event this time to district-level competition and cancel the state-level round. It can demoralise budding sports talents looking for applause in the track and field and grace marks in their academic career.
The sports meet expects a participation of 3,300 students. Its cancellation would mean loss of not just grace marks for the winners, but entry through sports quota and receiving cash awards. Plus, the possibility of qualifying for the national meet.
Several former athletes and teachers associations are fine with avoiding ostentation associated with the meet, but not its cancellation. In any case, the government will have to spend money even if it skips this year’s school meet because holding the selection trials for the national meet too entails big expenditure.
The education department says it has yet to take a final decision on the matter. It is convening a meet of teachers’ associations.
No-frills meet
The education department had spent Rs 60 lakh over last year’s school athletic meet in Palai of Kottayam district. It took only Rs 10 lakh to hold the competitions. A strict curtailment on other expenses can cut the required fund in total by half, according to experts. Currently, the meet has 300 trainers. The meet can be on even if their number is reduced to 100.
Cuts can be imposed on the travel bata and distribution of jerseys. The organisers can avoid the usually colourful opening and closing ceremonies. The committees on publicity, welfare and transport can be asked to cut down on expenses.
Young athletes lose
The athletes finishing up till eighth in the school meet are entitled to grace marks in their exams at classes 10 and 12. The top winner at the state meet gets 25 marks and those finishing second 20. At the national meet, the respective figures are 15 per cent and 13 per cent. Any participant at the national meet gets 10 per cent mark: 49.
As for cash awards, those finishing first, second and third at the state school meet secure Rs 1,500, Rs 1,250 and Rs 1,000 respectively. These amounts rise to Rs 25,000, Rs 20,000 and Rs 15,000 at the national athletic meet.
