Demonetisation stretches hand to sports field

Withdrawal limits imposed after the demonetisation of currency is affecting the participation of school children in Goa for the National School Games undergoing around the country. With banks unable to allow withdrawals outside the prescribed limits the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs (DSYA) is finding it difficult to access funds and are sending teams if parents can provide the funds.

The swimming teams that are supposed to leave for Rajkot are going at the cost of parents who have been promised that part of the expenditure will be refunded later or through payments into the children’s accounts.

“Most of the parents of children are well off and have agreed to bear the expenditure incurred for their respective kids. Some of the children have made arrangements to take their children by flight,” stated a source in the DSYA.

The participation of Goa’s under- 14 Girls football team and the baseball team has come under a cloud of doubt as the DSYA have yet to ascertain from the parents of the children if they can bear the initial expenses of their children.

The Goan football team is scheduled to leave to participate in the football School Nationals in Madhya Pradesh on November 25. With no access to money, the DSYA has asked the football coach to call a meeting of the footballers selected and brief them of the prevailing situation.

“The money for these games have been sanctioned and allotted. It is not possible to withdraw the money and give it to the children. Whatever has been earmarked for each child will be transferred to the child’s accounts after the Games,” added our sources.

The DSYA normally pays each student a sum of Rs 50 as diet allowance and Rs 50 as travelling allowance for the pre- National Coaching camp. A child is then paid Rs 300 per day as Travelling allowance and Rs 300 per day during the nationals . Rs 200 during the nationals is earmarked as food allowance. Each player is provided with a kit and an additional Rs 100 travelling allowance to come and go back home from the station.

“Recently , the Goa teams were sent for the Kho-Kho and Kabaddi nationals. They teams were given Rs 10,000 as the banks could not provide us with more money. The money has been sanctioned but cash is not available.” stated a source in DSYA.

“”We take pre receipts and bank details of all participants and the money is later deposited in their accounts. However, they need money for their food and with this situation even parents are finding it difficult to give their students an advance. Normally, parents provide the money first. It is not happening this time as the rules apply to all,” added our source.

“The football team has been called for a meeting on Monday. The problem is going to be discussed with the players and their parents and a call will be taken,” stated our source.

“A swimming team of over seventy boys and girls in to leave for Rajkot. Normally a majority of children come from affluent families. However, availability of currency is affecting all and that is why we do not know what will happen to the swimmers. Travelling is no problem as we have a private agency that deals with the booking of tickets. Money to spend on meals is,” summed up our source.