DU sports activities on decline

Many students complained that there are not adequate facilities for them to practise games or do physical exercises at the halls and the central gymnasium, although they have been paying for such facilities every year.

They said there are no proper trainers for various games and no regular practice sessions. Necessary instruments are not available at the gymnasium. Even there is no motivation programme to encourage students to take part in games.

Most instruments for physical exercises in the gymnasium are lying in dilapidated condition and many of them have no use. The central gymnasium hall, which has been under construction for the last 15 years, is yet to be completed.

"Some prompt actions by the authorities are seen only ahead of any tournaments, but there is no regular practice of games throughout the year," said Rahul Kanti Roy, a fourth year journalism student.

Even the DU hockey team could not take part in the national hockey tournament in 2005 due to shortage of players, said Rahul, also a national hockey player.

There are four tennis courts and five basketball courts at different halls, but those have fallen into disuse nowadays.

In 2003, the authorities introduced the Compulsory Physical Education, which created much enthusiasm among the students, but the course was suspended the next year.

SPORTS QUOTA
Cancellation of the 'sports quota' has seriously hampered sports activities on the campus. The authorities cancelled it as a number of non-players showing fake documents got admitted to the university under the quota.

"A syndicate comprising student leaders, teachers and some officials of the physical education department used to enrol non-players at the university through corruption," said Prof Didarul Alam, adviser to the department.

He said steps should be taken to prevent such irregularities and 'sports quota' should be revived for the interests of the university.

'PARALLEL ADMINISTRATION'
'Parallel administration' at the Physical Education Department, which looks after the university sports, also hinders the activities of the department.

ASM Mofazzal Hossain, director of the department, and Adviser Prof Didarul Alam have had a feud since he (adviser) was appointed in April 2003 by the pro-vice chancellor, who is also the chairman of department.

Some officials of the department said that they find it difficult to work on any issues as there is no coordination between the director and the advisor.

SHORTAGE OF FUNDS
In 2005-2006 fiscal, the university allocated Tk 51.7 lakh for the department. But a huge chunk of the amount was earmarked for salaries of the officials. Only Tk 9.4 lakh was allocated for sports activities, gymnasium instruments and awards.

Mofazzal Hossain said, "With the limited budget, we find it difficult to cope with the growing needs of the students."

"To manage everything efficiently, we need more funds," he added.

POLITICAL INTERFERENCE
Political interference is also taking a heavy toll on the university sports, as the student wing of the ruling party always interferes in the intra-hall and inter-hall sports competitions.

The hall authorities give the responsibility of conducting sports activities to the student leaders who resort to corruption in many ways, said a resident student of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Hall.

The director of the department, however, denied the allegation, saying that only the hall authorities are responsible for intra-hall sports.