UoM faces setback in sports funding, participation
Venkatesh, director of the department of physical education (PE), said that last year, the university had received Rs 60 lakh, which enabled them to send 40 teams — 21 men's and 19 women's — for inter-university competitions. "But this year, the allocation for the PE department is Rs 40 lakh," he said.
Though the Syndicate, the university's highest decision-making body, has approved a budget of Rs 40 lakh this year, sources said that in practical terms only about Rs 19 lakh is available for sporting activities.
"If the university fails to enhance the budget, many sportspersons wanting to vie for honours in the inter-university competition will be disappointed," they added.
Students are particularly worried because, despite the university collecting more than Rs 1 crore from them every year under sports fees, only a meagre portion is being allocated for the sporting activities. "It is unfortunate that from what students have paid, only such a small amount is available," sources rued.
With the inter-university season approaching, several students have been putting in extensive practice.
They are also anxious about the games that would be played at the inter-university sporting event.
According to officials, with only Rs 19 lakh at their disposal, the department estimates that it will be able to send no more than 10 teams (men's and women's teams combined) to the competitions. This marks a sharp decline compared to last year's participation of 40 teams, raising concerns about the university's ability to retain its sporting presence at the national level.
Experts fear the cut in funds will affect not only performance, but also the morale of athletes.
The department is scheduled to meet with PE directors on Aug 22 to make a final decision on the line-up of sporting events that UoM teams will compete in the inter-university event.
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