Won’t pay full airfare for soccer teams for Imphal Games: UT

Boasting of scholarships, cash awards and top-level sports infrastructure, the UT Administration has refused to pay the full airfare for the Manipur-bound under-19 (boys and girls) football teams. The players will be participating in the SGFI National School Games scheduled to be held in Imphal from April 15 to 21.

The Education Department has asked the parents to bear the ‘partial’ air travel expenses of the players.

The sources said the top officials of the Education Department had refused to send the teams by train considering the current tense situation in Manipur. However, the department put it on the parents, claiming that they were concerned about the players’ safety during train travel. It was proposed that the teams be sent by air, but the department refused to bear the entire air-travel expenses.

Keeping their children’s career in mind, many parents deposited the asked amount and the others gave an undertaking on bearing the partial air-travel expenses. However, not all parents are financially sound to pay the amount.

The return train tickets have not been confirmed yet as the officials are ‘not sure’ if the teams will participate in the national championship, claimed the sources. However, the teams have confirmed their initial entry through the online portal for the games.

“For the national games, teams are sent by train. As there was apprehension given the ground situation in one specific part of the journey, some requested that they wanted to send their children by air. They requested if we could adjust the train fare and the balance amount will be born by them,” said Harsuhinder Pal Singh Brar, Director, School Education (DSE).

When asked why the department can’t pay for the entire airfare and why the parents are still awaiting full train ticket reimbursement, Brar said: “Who says the train reimbursement is not given to the parents? Should the parents consent, I’m happy to get the train booked for to-and-fro journey.” He added, ““Yes, it’s my as well as the department’s responsibility to ensure that rail tickets are booked. I’m trying to walk the extra mile and accommodate some who want to travel by air.”

However, the parents said they had been asked twice to deposit the amount (partial airfare), as the officials are yet to book the return tickets.

The local contingent comprises 40 members, including 36 players (boys and girls) and four officials (two with each team).

Chandigarh