Punjab for OBC quota in sports

The Punjab government might henceforth select players for training not on the basis of their performance but on the basis of their castes. The state government is reportedly drawing up a list of athletes on the basis of caste.

This new policy is still under wraps, but if it is implemented, backward classes will then have a quota of 25 per cent at each level, district as well as state, during selection.

For the moment though, the authorities are not willing to talk about it.

Says Director, Sports Department, Pargat Singh, "Nothing has been finalised. We'll give you details once we ready."

But the Akali government is reportedly going full steam ahead with reservations in sports. Sports trainers have been already asked to submit a list of players with details of their castes.

Says Punjab Sports Minister, Gulzar Singh Ranike, "The backward classes have played an important part in all revolutions and so they should be give a chance."

But as is the case with the reservation debate in the rest of the country, not everyone agrees. Some players are unhappy and feel discriminated against.

Says a Mohali-based athlete, Harcharan Bhatti, "It's unfair. Players should be selected on the basis of their performance and not caste."

With the great OBC reservation tussle already on between the Centre and the Supreme Court, quota for backward classes in sports is likely to raise another political storm in Punjab.