Post News Network
Malkangiri, August 23: Resentment is brewing among the residents here as the first nursery sports hostel of the state in the tribal-dominated district has been closed due to funds crunch.
Though the hostel inmates have won laurels for the district by taking part in state and national level competitions, it is unfortunate that the district administration failed to arrange funds for running the hostel after Central grant to the hostel was stopped. The hostel was closed abruptly August 20.
The nursery sports hostel on the premises of the stadium here was set up in April 2012 with accommodation facility for 100 children. Two years later, only 65 inmates could be accommodated in the hostel due to funds crunch while there were only 44 inmates in the hostel in the current year. The inmates studying in various schools in the municipality area were imparted sports training.
Boarders of the hostel belong to tribal communities of Bonda and Didayi. Children of these poorest of the poor could not have proved their talents had the hostel been not there. It would have been a great loss for the state also, the residents mentioned.
Inmates of the hostel were imparted training on volley ball, kabaddi, athletics, archery and weightlifting.
According to sources, 127 boarders of the hostel had excelled in state-level competitions and 105 in national-level competitions. Sports equipment, clothes, shoes and other material were provided to the boarders. Moreover, arrangements were made to ensure that they participated in several competitions.
Expenses on these heads were met from the funds provided under the Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) and Integrated Action Plan (IAP). Besides, funds provided by the ST&SC Development Department were used for their food expenses.
After these funds were stopped, it became impossible for the hostel authorities to meet the expenses on sports equipment, salary of trainers and on other heads.
According to sources, the district collector had directed the sports department to close the hostel after the grants were stopped. The residents alleged that sudden closure of the hostel will affect the students’ career. They added that steps should have been taken to admit the students in the hostels of other schools so that that they could continue their studies.
District sports officer Jnanendra Badhei said if the students failed to get seats in other hostels, the district collector would be apprised of the matter.
District welfare officer Santosh Kumar Rath and project director of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency Ramakrushna Gond said the SC&ST development department can provide funds towards food of the inmates. However, it is impossible for the department to provide funds for other heads. Residents have demanded the state government to come forward to sort out the issue.
Meanwhile, Malkangiri MLA Manas Madkami and Chitrakonda MLA Dambaru Shisha said they have apprised the Chief Minister about the matter. The CM has directed the sports secretary and the district collector to resume the hostel. The district administration will manage the hostel for a temporary period. Later, it would be managed by the ST&SC department, they added.