Sports take centre-stage in west UP politics

MEERUT : Sports seem to have taken centre-stage in the politics of western UP, as political parties are using them connect with youths ahead of the assembly elections in the state.

Youths in western UP, especially in Meerut, Saharanpur and Moradabad regions have developed a passion for sports in the past few decades. In previous Asian and Commonwealth Games, athletes of Meerut region have done well and also won medals for the country.

Shooting, wrestling, archery, kabaddi and athletics are popular among youths of the region. Moreover, sports are a gateway of getting jobs in different government departments, Army and police through quota.

A shooting range started by Rajpal Singh in Johri village of Baghpat district almost three decades ago helped in popularizing shooting in the region. Two elderly shooters Prakasho and Chandro ( popular as Shooter Daadi), clad in village attire and holding guns in their hands attracted attention and their

medal winning performance encouraged parents to allow their daughters to ‘ shoot for glory’.

Varsha Tomar, an international trap shooter from Baghpat, said Shooter Daadi’s appearance in shooting provided a platform to girls. Besides, good performance fetched jobs for many girls.

Varsha herself got a job in the Army through sports quota, “Sports bring both pride and jobs,” she said. This is what perhaps prompted political parties to connect with youths and kindle hope among them that their efforts to promote sports could bring “better days”.

BJP’s former state president Dr Laxmikant Bajpai who belongs to Meerut, also said that sports could be an effective medium to connect with youths