School games: 10 schools converge at one in absence of playgrounds

In yet another reflection of the state of affairs in government primary schools in the district, as many as 10 schools conducted school games at Government Primary School, Kutcha Number 16, due to lack of playgrounds on their premises.

Interestingly, this school has been functioning without a building for the past several years. Therefore, all the school has are open spaces.

Also as students were not able to practice games like kho-kho and kabaddi due to lack of playgrounds, contest for these games was not organised on Friday. About 90 students took part in 100m and 200m races only. Due to lack of funds, they were not provided any sports kits.

When this correspondent visited Government Primary School, Kutcha Number 16, she found students were participating in the games barefoot.

Teachers, requesting anonymity, said, “We have contributed money to conduct the games and provide refreshments to students.”

When asked why the games were not organised at any other primary school, the teachers replied that there were no playgrounds in their schools so they decided to conduct the games here as there was open space for conducting races.

Meanwhile, as many as 70 students from seven government primary schools from Sarih, Kaind, Alamgir, Dullay, Hamayunpura, Kheri and Lalto Kalan, participated in the games at Santokh Singh Mirgand Memorial Stadium on Thursday.

Contest was organised for kho-kho and long jump by schoolteachers in the absence of a coach or trainer.

Talking to Hindustan Times, Barjinder Singh, incharge of Government Primary School, Dullay, said, “We started the games on Thursday and distributed the prizes on Friday.”

“We have also made arrangements for first-aid for students, and a doctor was called in to provide treatment to injured students. However, no student was injured during the games.”

When asked whether they received any funds or sports kits to organise the games, he replied that neither any fund nor any sports kits were provided to them.

“We have provided refreshments to the students from our own pocket,” he added.

Results
100m race (boys): 1. Vishu of GPS-2b; 2. Sahil of GPS, Shahpur Road; 3. Chottu of GPS- 7(A).
Girls: 1. Preeti of GPS, Narinder Nagar; 2. Sonia of GPS, Shahpur Road; 3. Jyoti of GPS-7(A).
200m race (boys): 1. Sahil of GPS, Shahpur Road; Karan of GPS-1(B); Shubam of GPS-2(B).
Girls: 1. Sonia of GPS, Shahpur Road; 2. Amarjot Kaur of GPS-1(B); 3. Deepa of GPS-1(B).
Long jump: 1. GPS Lalto Kalan; 2. GPS Alamgir.
Kho-kho (both boys and girls): 1. GPS Lalto Kalan; 2. GPS Kheri.