Summer almost gone, GHMC camps yet to start

Hyderabad: With less than 15 days of summer left, the GHMC still has not started its yearly summer coaching camps.

Fed up with the corporation for delaying camps, few resident welfare association in Alwal and Marredpally have taken the corporation’s equipment and started their own camps.

This year, there was no cricket or volleyball coaching. Over 2,500 students wait to join these coaching sessions every year since they are not very expensive and equipment is provided. At the end of the camp, winners are given certificates from the corporation. However, this year, there was nothing.

From April 25 to May 31 every year, the corporation organises summer sports camps across GHMC stadiums, playgrounds, parks and other facilities.

GHMC camps have a rich history of producing outstanding sportspersons including the late Abdul Basith, an Arjuna awardee in volleyball. Other big names who attended GHMC camps in their formative stages include former cricketer V.V.S. Laxman and triple Olympian Nandnuri Mukesh Kumar.

In 2014, 1.60 lakh trainees in different age groups attended the GHMC summer camps. With an estimated budget of '90 lakh for the camps, the facilities are provided at the 2,000-odd GHMC playgrounds in the twin cities with standard equipment.

“The camps were being held every year for the past 43 years; the corporation had inaugurations and valedictory functions, felicitating all participants with certificates. In Alwal, the camp give birth to state-level athlete Tejas, who was appointed in the South Central Railways under the sports quota. Students wait for these camps, which are a GHMC tradition. Why is the GHMC depriving children of the camps this year?” asked a member of the Greater Alwal RWA.

Meanwhile, the corporation’s sport wing states that it has not received orders from higher authorities to start summer camps in the city. However, the swimming camp has been on since May 1.