http://cities.expressindia.com/fullstory.php?newsid=231665
Seats for SC-ST in sports: Ranike Mohit Khanna Ludhiana, April 13: Reservation politics has hit the Punjab sports scene too. The state sports ministry is keen to introduce 25 per cent reservation in the sports wings and academies. The development comes on the eve of the birth anniversary of Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar, which is being celebrated by the state in a big way. A fax communication from Sports Minister Guljar Singh Ranike to all district sports offices, academies and Punjab Sports Department this afternoon asked them what was the provision regarding the reservation for SC-ST classes in sports. The letter also asked why the sports wings and academies in the state do not have 25 per cent reservation for SC-ST players, when reservation exists in all courses in schools and colleges. The communication asked for an explanation on how many players of the reserved category appeared for trials held recently for admission to sports wings and the Speed Fund Academy in various disciplines. Ranike sought details on how many players of the category were selected in the trials held recently in Jalandhar and Ludhiana. In his letter, the Minister stated that the Punjab government is concerned about the progress of reserved category players in various sports disciplines in the state. He highlighted that upliftment of the categories in sports was required. When contacted by The Indian Express over phone, the minister said he was keen for development of SC-ST classes in sports area, but it was up to the government and the union government to implement the reservation. The letter has led to much confusion among the sports officials and players. Sources told Newsline that officials do not know how to respond to the letter, as no caste-based data has been compiled for the trials, or the selected players. When contacted, a senior official of the Punjab Sports Department who did not want to be identified rued that sports cannot be categorised on caste basis. "All players in a team can be from a reserved category, or there may be no one. Their selection is primarily done on merit." Another official who did not want to be identified either, said the move can backfire. "Even if a number of players from the scheduled castes may be actually good, only 25 per cent of them will be taken. This way, the others will lose out on a fair chance for selection," he pointed out.
