GU LANDS KNOCK-OUT PUNCH ON PLAYERS
Going against the University Grants Commission norms, Gujarat varsity scraps sports quota in admission to colleges; athletes feel let down even as the government wants to promote sports culture in the state
Yogesh Avasthi, Pranjal Protim Boruah
Posted On Thursday, June 27, 2013 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/201306272013062702364316817c638ab/GU-LANDS-KNOCKOUT-PUNCH-ON-PLAYERS.html
Yogesh Avasthi, Pranjal Protim Boruah
Posted On Thursday, June 27, 2013 (http://www.ahmedabadmirror.com/article/2/201306272013062702364316817c638ab/GU-LANDS-KNOCKOUT-PUNCH-ON-PLAYERS.html
After knocking out scores of opponents in the boxing ring, Dhaval Bariya and Anmol Tiwari might have thought they booked the “big ticket” — a seat in one of the prestigious commerce colleges in the city that would help them to secure their future. However, the duo, who looked to avail of the sports quota, were in for a shocker when two of the most sought after commerce colleges denied them admission.
This, despite the government spending crores of rupees on hosting Khel Mahakumbh and setting up a sports university to promote sports culture in the state. Mirror found out that against the rules of University Grants Commission (UGC) that called for a 3 to 5 per cent quota for sportspersons in colleges, it is Gujarat University that directed the colleges affiliated with it to do away with “all types of quotas” and that “the admission will be based on merit only”. Speaking to Mirror, Dhaval, a top state junior boxer who took part in eight National tournaments and won a bronze medal, said, “We had a good interview at H L Commerce College. We thought we nailed it.
But we have been told that that there will be no quota for sports this year as per the instructions of Gujarat University.” It was a similar story at H A Commerce College that kept the students in limbo before denying them seats. “The officials gave us hope and asked us to come next day. We felt assured. But it happened two-three times before they told us that they could not admit us,” an anguished Anmol joined in.
CONTRADICTIONS GALORE
The students claimed that it is their sports, boxing, that has been discriminated against while the colleges gave admission to students from other sports. “They admitted students who played one or two nationals in other sports but they deemed us not fit for admission,” the duo said, adding “one of the colleges even told us that they had no quota for boxers.” “We usually keep 3 per cent of the seats for sports.
We want to promote sports and encourage sportspersons. However (GU) vice chancellor is clear that there will be no quota this year. We can’t break university rules,” said H A Commerce College Principal Sureshchandra Trivedi. Trivedi added, “This year we got applications from 35 to 40 people. But despite that we could not admit them.” B M Shah, director of Ahmedabad Education Society under which H L Commerce and a few other colleges functions, said, “As per the orders of the university we advised the colleges to do away with quotas.”
However, he admitted that they did select 15 players. “We formed a threemember committee and that selected 15 players. We wanted to promote sports and have a long history of promoting sportspersons,” he added. These students are yet to be granted admission. S M Patel Institute of Commerce Principal Ashwin Purohit said, “According to GU guidelines, there will no quota for sportspersons this year.
In all we got 20 applicants this year, but we are helpless.” Confirming the development GU Provice Chancellor Mukul Shah said, “Yes we have decided to do away with sports quota this year because we got complaints of misuse of the quota by the colleges.” When pointed out that it will only affect the sportspersons, Dr Shah said, “If there is any genuine case then the college can form three-member committee and select names. Then they have to send the selected names to the V-C for approval.”
However, Shah’s own official questioned the move. “As per UGC guidelines, all colleges have to have 3 per cent sports quota. No one can scrap it,” GU Director of Physical Education B D Vanar said. “With the state government eagerly promoting sports, this move will only hurt sports,” he added.
SHOCKED SPORTS FRATERNITY
Expressing shock on the decision, boxing coach Maksood Khan said, “The government spends so much money on Khel Mahakumbh to promote sports in the state. I am wondering why has the university done away with it. Boxing is the one of three medal sports in the country and if we don’t promote the sports then it will only hurt us.” Gujarat State Table Tennis Association Secretary Haresh Sangtani, too, questioned the decision.
“The decision is bad for sports in the state. Why would a student pick up sports when there is no benefit with it?” Leading state tennis player Alan Gomes, however, had a different take. “I have a mixed feeling about the decision. It is true that the quota is always misused and also that the sportspersons from our states are usually good in their studies,” he said, adding “however, from my own experience I can say, sports promote a team spirit. Also, it gives players from our state to compete and learn from some of the best talents in the country.”
This, despite the government spending crores of rupees on hosting Khel Mahakumbh and setting up a sports university to promote sports culture in the state. Mirror found out that against the rules of University Grants Commission (UGC) that called for a 3 to 5 per cent quota for sportspersons in colleges, it is Gujarat University that directed the colleges affiliated with it to do away with “all types of quotas” and that “the admission will be based on merit only”. Speaking to Mirror, Dhaval, a top state junior boxer who took part in eight National tournaments and won a bronze medal, said, “We had a good interview at H L Commerce College. We thought we nailed it.
But we have been told that that there will be no quota for sports this year as per the instructions of Gujarat University.” It was a similar story at H A Commerce College that kept the students in limbo before denying them seats. “The officials gave us hope and asked us to come next day. We felt assured. But it happened two-three times before they told us that they could not admit us,” an anguished Anmol joined in.
CONTRADICTIONS GALORE
The students claimed that it is their sports, boxing, that has been discriminated against while the colleges gave admission to students from other sports. “They admitted students who played one or two nationals in other sports but they deemed us not fit for admission,” the duo said, adding “one of the colleges even told us that they had no quota for boxers.” “We usually keep 3 per cent of the seats for sports.
We want to promote sports and encourage sportspersons. However (GU) vice chancellor is clear that there will be no quota this year. We can’t break university rules,” said H A Commerce College Principal Sureshchandra Trivedi. Trivedi added, “This year we got applications from 35 to 40 people. But despite that we could not admit them.” B M Shah, director of Ahmedabad Education Society under which H L Commerce and a few other colleges functions, said, “As per the orders of the university we advised the colleges to do away with quotas.”
However, he admitted that they did select 15 players. “We formed a threemember committee and that selected 15 players. We wanted to promote sports and have a long history of promoting sportspersons,” he added. These students are yet to be granted admission. S M Patel Institute of Commerce Principal Ashwin Purohit said, “According to GU guidelines, there will no quota for sportspersons this year.
In all we got 20 applicants this year, but we are helpless.” Confirming the development GU Provice Chancellor Mukul Shah said, “Yes we have decided to do away with sports quota this year because we got complaints of misuse of the quota by the colleges.” When pointed out that it will only affect the sportspersons, Dr Shah said, “If there is any genuine case then the college can form three-member committee and select names. Then they have to send the selected names to the V-C for approval.”
However, Shah’s own official questioned the move. “As per UGC guidelines, all colleges have to have 3 per cent sports quota. No one can scrap it,” GU Director of Physical Education B D Vanar said. “With the state government eagerly promoting sports, this move will only hurt sports,” he added.
SHOCKED SPORTS FRATERNITY
Expressing shock on the decision, boxing coach Maksood Khan said, “The government spends so much money on Khel Mahakumbh to promote sports in the state. I am wondering why has the university done away with it. Boxing is the one of three medal sports in the country and if we don’t promote the sports then it will only hurt us.” Gujarat State Table Tennis Association Secretary Haresh Sangtani, too, questioned the decision.
“The decision is bad for sports in the state. Why would a student pick up sports when there is no benefit with it?” Leading state tennis player Alan Gomes, however, had a different take. “I have a mixed feeling about the decision. It is true that the quota is always misused and also that the sportspersons from our states are usually good in their studies,” he said, adding “however, from my own experience I can say, sports promote a team spirit. Also, it gives players from our state to compete and learn from some of the best talents in the country.”
