Rekha Arya’s Urgent Plea: Sports Infrastructure and Governance Under Scrutiny in Uttarakhand

Rekha Arya’s Letter to Chief Secretary Raises Alarming Concerns

In a pivotal development in Uttarakhand’s sports administration, State Sports Minister Rekha Arya has officially addressed a letter to the Chief Secretary, highlighting severe operational and governance discrepancies within the Department of Sports. This move signals a critical turning point in the management of sports affairs in the state.

Arya’s correspondence underscores mismanagement, stalled infrastructure projects, and opaque decision-making processes. The letter, reportedly spanning several pages, outlines a systematic breakdown in coordination between the Department and its operational stakeholders, especially concerning budget utilization and grassroots-level sports development.

Financial Discrepancies and Budget Mismanagement

One of the central issues highlighted in the minister’s letter is non-utilization and misallocation of funds designated for sports infrastructure and athlete development. Despite the approval of multiple crores under state and central schemes like Khelo India, several sanctioned projects remain incomplete or only partially operational.

Rekha Arya’s letter includes precise data on:

• Underutilized funds: Crores allocated but left unspent by district-level officials.

• Delayed tenders and procurements: Sports equipment and infrastructure tenders pending beyond acceptable timelines.

• Non-transparent practices: Ambiguities in procurement procedures without adherence to standard guidelines.

This has resulted in a massive credibility loss among sports associations and aspiring athletes who rely on timely support.

Poor Coordination Between Sports Directorate and State-Level Authorities

The letter also points to a growing disconnect between the Directorate of Sports and field officers, including district sports officers and infrastructure agencies. According to Arya, despite multiple high-level meetings and directives, the execution on-ground remains sluggish and inefficient.

Key issues flagged:

• Lack of timely reporting and feedback mechanisms

• Failure to implement resolutions passed during department reviews

• Minimal coordination with local sports associations

These governance gaps are impacting athlete preparation and event planning, especially with major national and state-level events on the horizon.

Athlete Welfare and Talent Development at Risk

The inefficiency in fund deployment and administrative lethargy directly affects athlete welfare programs, including:

• Stipends and scholarships for talented athletes being delayed or withheld

• Inadequate nutrition and training resources at state-run sports hostels

• Poor maintenance of training centers, forcing many athletes to shift to private facilities