CHANDIGARH, India: No ‘coaching camp for national teams for either men or women will be held atN.LS. Patiala, until at least next year,
A decision to this effect has reportedly been conveyed by the Union Government to the Patiala center.
‘The decision has been prompted by protests from sportsmen and women from other parts of the country that Patiala should not have the monopoly of holding all national camps. The sportspersons maintain that now that the N.LS. has its own regional centers spread all over the country, other centers should also be used for holding coaching camps for national teams.
‘Another important factor that reportedly clinched the issue against Patiala has been the “fear psychosis” created by the continuing violence in the State. The parents of many sportsmen and women have been reluctant to send their wards to Patiala.
On the other hand, the problem that will crop up if camps are held at other centers may vary from provision of infrastructure and basic facilities to the availability of senior coaches.
‘At present, coaching camps for the junior and women hockey teams are in progress at Delhi. Besides Patiala, the other center which has adequate training facilities is Delhi. The coaches at Patiala, however, prefer their own center to the Union Capital because of the distances involved. ‘When camps are held at Delhi, the players are lodged at the Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex while the training venues are located all ‘over the Capital. A lot of time is lost in commuting from the place of stay to the training venue,
Most of the senior coaches are Patiala based. They include Mr. Balkishen Singh (hockey), Mr‘Om Parkash Bhardwaj (boxing), Mr. JS. Saini (athletics) and Mr. B, Bhagwat (wrestling).
Article extracted from this publication >> September 25, 1987
