Sports Associations in Kerala to go under audit lens

Thiruvananthapuram, July 3 (IANS) Signalling an uncompromising approach to cleaning up the state’s sports administration, new Sports Minister O.J. Janeesh has ordered a comprehensive audit of every sports association recognised by the Kerala State Sports Council, targeting what the government believes are long-standing irregularities in the sector.

The Sports Department, under Janeesh, a first-time MLA and Youth Congress President, has issued a detailed questionnaire to all affiliated associations, requiring them to furnish exhaustive information on their functioning, finances, elections, and governance.

Every response must be backed by documentary evidence and submitted within seven days of receiving the notice.

The State Sports Council has been directed to scrutinise the replies within another seven days and submit a consolidated report to the government.

The associations will be classified based on their compliance, governance standards, sporting achievements, infrastructure, financial transparency, and the need for government intervention.

Bodies that fail to respond, have long-pending elections or audits, or are embroiled in disputes will also come under close scrutiny.

The exercise follows mounting complaints over financial mismanagement, lack of transparency, and allegations that some associations have become virtual fiefdoms controlled by a handful of office-bearers for years, often at the expense of athletes.

The audit is also expected to revive scrutiny of sports quota recruitments and admissions to professional courses.

Allegations have periodically surfaced that certain associations issued questionable national-level participation certificates, which were later accepted during verification, enabling undeserving candidates to secure PSC appointments and admissions to professional courses while genuine sportspersons were denied opportunities.

The minister’s intervention is being viewed as one of the strongest attempts in recent years to overhaul the administration of sports in Kerala and restore credibility to the system.

The developments have also shifted attention to another crucial decision awaiting the minister, the appointment of the next Kerala Sports Council President, a post that invariably triggers intense lobbying whenever a new government assumes office.

The position has traditionally witnessed a tug-of-war between political aspirants and accomplished sportspersons.

While politicians, including those accommodated after electoral setbacks, have often been considered for the coveted post, successive governments have also entrusted the responsibility to distinguished sporting personalities.

Among the eminent sportspersons who have headed the Council are Anju Bobby George, Padmini Thomas and U. Sharaf Ali, each bringing sporting experience to the administration.

With Janeesh now signalling a sports-centric reform agenda, all eyes are on whether he will once again turn to a respected sportsperson to lead the Council or yield to political pressures in making one of the government’s most keenly watched appointments.

–IANS

sg/vd