Bhogeswar Baruah Criticizes Assam’s Sports Development Efforts

Bhogeswar Baruah, Assam’s first Arjuna Awardee and a legendary sprinter, has expressed his disappointment with the state government’s approach to sports development. Speaking candidly to PTI, the 84-year-old athlete, who won gold in the 800m event at the 1966 Asian Games, criticized the lack of focus on identifying and nurturing talent in rural areas.

“It is sad to say there is no production of sportspersons anywhere in Assam. Earlier, we used to organize camps to attract new talent, but it is not happening anymore,” Baruah remarked. He also highlighted the underutilization of government-appointed coaches, suggesting they could be deployed to districts to conduct training camps and scout for budding athletes.

Baruah’s comments bring to light a concerning stagnation in Assam’s sports ecosystem and raise questions about the efficacy of the state’s Integrated Sports Policy of Assam (2017-18).

Evaluating the Gaps in Assam’s Sports Policy

Assam’s Integrated Sports Policy of 2017-18 was envisioned as a transformative framework to position the state as a leader in sports. With its emphasis on grassroots development, infrastructure enhancement, and fostering competitive sports, the policy outlines a roadmap for creating a vibrant sports culture. However, as Bhogeswar Baruah points out, gaps in execution have hindered the realization of these goals.

Strengths of the Policy

1. Focus on Grassroots Development:
   The policy promises a three-tier sports system at the block, district, and state levels (Clause 5.4(i)), aiming to develop infrastructure and host competitions that can nurture local talent.
2. Infrastructure Development:
   Provisions under Clause 9.1 aim to develop 500 playfields in rural areas and multidisciplinary sports complexes at the block and district levels under the Chief Minister’s Samagra Gramya Unnayan Yojana (CMSGUY).
3. Support for Coaches and Academies:
   The policy includes plans for appointing coaches in all districts (Clause 7.9) and establishing sports academies in priority disciplines to provide intensive training for promising athletes (Clause 7.8).

Gaps and Challenges

Despite these well-laid plans, the policy has fallen short in critical areas:

1. Talent Scouting and Engagement:
   • While the policy promotes rural playfields and grassroots competitions, Baruah’s observation underscores the lack of active talent scouting programs in rural areas. Clause 7.6 emphasizes scouting talent at the grassroots level, but the absence of training camps and competitions in rural Assam remains a significant hurdle.
2. Underutilization of Coaches:
   • Clause 7.9 promises adequate deployment of coaches, but their presence and effectiveness in rural areas are questionable. Coaches are critical for talent development, and their limited engagement weakens the state’s talent pipeline.
3. Implementation Oversight:
   • The policy lacks a robust monitoring mechanism to ensure the objectives of grassroots engagement, outlined in Clauses 5.3 and 7.3, are met. Infrastructure without active programs fails to create opportunities for athletes.
4. Neglect of Indigenous Talent:
   • While the policy encourages indigenous games (Clause 6(iii)), these efforts are rarely visible on the ground, missing an opportunity to harness Assam’s rich cultural heritage in sports.

The Way Forward

To align with its ambitious goals and address the gaps highlighted by Bhogeswar Baruah, Assam must focus on:

1. Reviving Talent Scouting Camps:
   • Reinstate regular training and scouting camps in rural districts to identify and nurture budding talent.
2. Effective Deployment of Coaches:
   • Create accountability for coaches to actively conduct programs in rural areas, ensuring their presence translates into tangible results.
3. Strengthening Monitoring Mechanisms:
   • Establish a dedicated task force to evaluate the implementation of grassroots initiatives and infrastructure usage.
4. Leveraging Community Engagement:
   • Partner with local sports clubs and associations to create sustainable grassroots programs.

While Assam’s sports policy offers a strong blueprint, the gaps in execution threaten its effectiveness. Icons like Bhogeswar Baruah serve as reminders of the state’s potential and the urgency to address these shortcomings. Assam must shift its focus from merely building infrastructure to creating an ecosystem where talent from every corner of the state can thrive. Only then can the policy’s vision of making Assam a feeder state for national and international sports become a reality.

Click to Download Assam’s Integrated Sports Policy of 2017-18