Gujarat needs to change ‘business oriented attitude’ to excel in sports: SAI

Ahmedabad

Expressing happiness over the improving performance of Gujarat in sports at the national level, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) today said that the state will have to shift its ‘business oriented’ approach to make it even better and to excel at the international level as well.

The western region, Director of SAI, who looks after the sports promotion activities of the central government body in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Goa and  the union territory of Daman and Diu, Mr. R K Naidu  also stressed for the need to relax tight school attendance rules for the aspiring sportsmen.

‘Gujarat is clearly improving which is evident from its big upward jump in the national games overall state ranking from 26 th to 9 th  in the last two games held in Jharkhand and Kerala respectively. Names like ace woman tennis player Ankita Raina and table tennis star Manav Thakker have also surfaced prominently and the state government has taken many commendable initiatives including the district level sports schools (DLSS). Results are visible in the form of talent search including those in the tribal areas of Junagarh district. This is all good but if the state is to excel and make it to the international arena it will have to change the way of thinking,’ Mr. Naidu said.

‘Especially the guardians need to change their attitude a good deal. Traditionally Gujaratis are business people who normally don’t take sports as a career for their children very seriously and at times think of it as a wastage of time. With this kind of thinking nothing excellent can be achieved. On the other hand the schools will also have to co-operate with the ones who opt for pursuing sports with all seriousness. We can’t expect an aspirant to attend 90 percent classes and at the same time keep training for sports which involves a great deal of time and tours. If a student makes it to the state, national or the international level in the sports, his or her educational institution feels proud and even boasts of him/her. Then, why so many restrictions to scuttle his or her preparations,’ the SAI Director said.

He also said that the girls in the state were doing particularly well and should be paid special attention for nurturing them.

– DeshGujarat