Hyderabad: Officials have observed cases of misuse of the sports quota by students to get admission into reputed colleges. These students take advantage of a few comparatively modern sports being added into the quota list.
Prof. V. Satyanarayana, convener of Telangana State Physical Education Common Entrance Test (TSPECET) said that sports such as kabadi, volleyball and cricket were earlier considered as the criteria for the sports quota. Of late, sports such as fencing and canoeing, which are available only in major cities, are also considered.
Many students go for a week or 15-day training for fencing or other such sports and produce a certificate which is accepted for the sports quota.
Mr Rajshekar K., a sports educator, said, “When students use the sports quota to join colleges, they are ruining the chances of a good sportsperson. Sports such as fencing will not be present in all universities. This calls for better infrastructure but also genuine interest by the student.”
Sports educators want colleges and universities to keep a regular check on students who enter via the sports quota. “Institutions should ensure that students’ interest do not fade with academics and also ensure that they are active in sports. The quota cannot simply be used as a gateway. Sports quota students are generally expected to bring laurels to institutions,” said an official of the physical education department in Osmania University. Sports trainers say few students from medical and business colleges turn up at sports events.
Dr B. Karunakar Reddy, Vice Chancellor of Kaloji Narayana Rao University of Health Sciences, said many seats are reserved for sports quota in medical institutions. “Most seats are taken by students who rollerblade, skate and so on. The prioritising of sports must be done more strictly.”
Mr A. Dinakar Babu, vice chairman of the Sports Authority of Telangana, said, “We want to ensure participation from all educational institutions. More intercollege competitions should be encouraged and we are in the process of building infrastructure in universities which will encourage students from other institutions.”
