Convener News Desk
Bandipora, August 21: The Department of Youth Services and Sports (YSS), Bandipora, has come under criticism over alleged mismanagement and lapses in arrangements during the ongoing Inter-District Provincial-Level Girls’ Kabaddi Competition.
A video recorded by Kashmir Convener shows around 14 girl players from Kulgam district travelling in a single auto-rickshaw, reportedly designed to carry only five to seven passengers.
The players were travelling from Higher Secondary School Nadihal to their hostel near NM Higher Secondary School, Kaloosa, for lunch when the incident was captured.
The video has raised concerns among locals and others familiar with the arrangements, who questioned why a single vehicle was used to transport such a large number of players. They said overcrowding could pose a serious safety risk, particularly while negotiating speed breakers and uneven stretches of road.
“God forbid, if the vehicle had lost balance at a speed breaker, there could have been a disaster,” eyewitnesses said.
Locals said auto-rickshaws operating on the route charge around Rs 20 per passenger and questioned why two vehicles were not arranged for the 14 players. They estimated that transporting the players in two autos would have cost around Rs 280, alleging that the use of a single vehicle may have been aimed at reducing expenses.
People familiar with the department’s functioning also alleged that cost-cutting had previously been witnessed in areas such as refreshments and other arrangements. However, these allegations could not be independently verified.
When contacted, the District Officer, Youth Services and Sports, Bandipora, acknowledged the lapse and assured that the matter would be looked into.
The Department of Youth Services and Sports, Bandipora, is currently hosting the Inter-District Provincial-Level Girls’ Kabaddi Competition for the Under-14 and Under-17 categories at Higher Secondary School Nadihal. The competition was inaugurated by the Additional Deputy Commissioner on Thursday.
The incident has nevertheless raised questions over the safety and welfare arrangements being made for young athletes participating in the competition.
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