Maharashtra to give grace marks for 44 unaided sports categories

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Maharashtra is moving toward a major decision aimed at school students' sports, studies and overall development. Assembly deputy speaker Anna Bansode has given clear instructions that a positive proposal be prepared at the earliest to award sports facilitation marks to students who perform well in 44 unaided sports categories.

He gave these instructions at a special meeting called to discuss in detail the issue of giving sports marks facilitation for these 44 school sports categories. Bansode himself chaired the meeting.

The meeting noted that sports help in the proper development of students' personalities and also contribute significantly to building a healthy and strong nation. Several schools in the state currently organise various sports categories and competitions successfully on their own, without any financial assistance from the government. It was noted that properly recognising the ability and performance of students who achieve excellent success in these competitions is essential from both an administrative and academic standpoint. Accordingly, all concerned departments were directed to take positive action without delay so that such students receive sports facilitation marks in their school scores.

The Maharashtra State School Sports Institute has continuously raised this demand. According to the institute's main demand, more than four lakh students studying from class 6 to class 12 are currently performing well at the taluka, district and state levels in the 44 unaided sports categories. The institute has consistently pushed for the grant of sports facilitation marks so that these hardworking students get a better opportunity and scope for their sporting talent, along with proper encouragement for their further studies.

The meeting chaired by Anna Bansode was attended by several key officials and office-bearers from the administration and sports sector. These included Rupali Sawant, under secretary of the School Education Department; Navnath Fartade, deputy director of the Directorate of Sports; Kunal Sarpate, room officer of the Sports Department; Darasingh Dulhat, assistant room officer of the School Education Department; and Shyam Rajaram Bhosale, president of the Maharashtra State School Sports Institute. Experienced coaches of various unaided school sports and other office-bearers of the institute were also present and took part in the discussion.