There seems hardly any visible change in the basic infrastructure for the Olympic sport of Judo in Jammu and Kashmir ever since the game was introduced in this part of the world in 1978.

The training facility at the main coaching centre of J&K at Jammu still remains incomplete in terms of mat area and allied facilities like gym.

Though the game was provided with adequate coaching strength of qualified and competent individuals, the discipline failed to find needed infrastructural growth in near 50 years of existence.

This was stated by, Varinder Dogra, one of the top J&K Judoka, who has a sporting career span of 37 years with highest number of individual medals at the National stage and exceptional achievement of defeating an Olympian.

 “Judo, the Olympic discipline, is a victim of official apathy and negligence, especially in the wake of projection to non-Olympic and little important games in J&K. The undue benefits and favours to martial arts and traditional arts of some countries, the sports, including Judo have suffered a lot with hardly any visible growth in last 50 years or so. The game of Judo has a legacy and performance consistency with men and women winning medals in the School Games, University Games and other National Championships all these years,” said Varinder.

“The beautiful game of Judo, known its fair selections, genuine competition and equal opportunities across regions without any ill will and bias, deserves a better deal in the hands of those policy makers and decision takers at the higher level,” said Dogra adding, “We need an exclusive training facility with full-size competition area and atleast one allied basic facility of a gym.”

Important to mention here that Varinder has served the game of Judo in various capacities, including chairman of the selection committee for a pretty long time.

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