Politics over sports initiatives in Sundargarh

By D N Singh Who doesn’t do that when it comes within the legitimacy of political governance. That is morally and administratively binding to kick - start projects that upholds the image of a state and delivers at one front. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik gave a start to an international standard Hockey stadium in Rourkela the other day it has invited heavy criticism from the opposition camp. What is opposition? Is it within the parameters of opposition to diametrically oppose anything that a government does! Even if it is productive in many ways? Undisputedly under the present political dispensation in Odisha, hockey has obtained a fantastic face lift through the international events in Bhubaneswar and that too in a consecution. It is not that the world class Hockey stadium to come up in Rourkela is oxymoronic as a concept, when Sundargarh district has proved that, it remains a fountainhead of hockey talents in the world. It has given world class hockey talents to India in the shape of Dilip Tirkey,  Lazrus Barla,  Ignes Tirkey, Prabodh Tirkey,  Sunita Lakra and an endless list of such players in the making. Hours after the functions in Rourkela, the debates in local news channels were full with critiques of the opposition calling it a political gimmick and a grandiose dream that would ever come true. When the Prime Minister and other leaders can lay the foundation of several such schemes or inaugurate projects, why should such projects getting kickstarted in Odisha are any eyesore. Moreover, the state is not going to face any elections anywhere in the near future so that such events can be seen through a political prism. Even there are allegations, often, that the state is hijacking central schemes and showcases them in a fine print as state scheme, the argument also doesn't hold much water because, people after all want the systems to function no matter in whose banner. Can the people having contrarian views say that Sundargarh or Rourkela do not deserve such world class sports facilities. Doing politics and development cannot always be collaged by mitigating the rational behind the purpose. Be it central scheme or a dream project of Odisha but, ultimately the end purpose is the benefit that is paramount. Patnaik has travelled a long in hosting the mega hockey events and successfully so. In every bit of the initiative there cannot be politics and greed for name and fame. Hence to drive the vehicle of opposition with a predisposed mindset sometimes appear myopic whoever the party it is. About the Author: DN Singh is a Bhubaneswar-based senior journalist. DISCLAIMER This is the personal opinion of the author. The views expressed in this write up have nothing to do with the www.prameyanews.com