Indian Under-23 player M S Sreekuttan's request to Minister Sivankutty

Education Minister V Sivankutty talked highly of M S Sreekuttan, a native of Rajaji Nagar, Thiruvananthapuram, who returned from playing for the Indian Under-23 football team. Amidst receiving adulation from all quarters, Sreekuttan remained humble but surprised the minister by raising a serious concern. He told the minister about the young footballers of Rajaji Nagar, many of them great talents and far better than him, who might probably end up leaving the game before making any mark in the sport. Sreekuttan was pointing out the lack of grounds and facilities for the young footballers in the capital city to practice and hone their talents. The minister, in his reply, promised to allow the ground near the SMV school ground for children of Rajaji Nagar to practice the game.

Amidst the slow domination of synthetic turfs in the city, the financially struggling players still rely on grounds to practice. Sports are the best medicine to save the young generation from the slavery of drugs and mobile phones. Playgrounds are necessary for physical and mental awakening and refreshment. Many schools in the capital city are home to fine grounds ideal for practising games, including football. Opening up the grounds after school hours for young talents will possibly help the state create prodigies like Sreekuttan.

Often, school authorities do not open the grounds to local children out of fear of misuse and anti-social activities. The fear cannot be ruled out entirely as a glib talk because of the rising cases of drug use among teens. However, that fear should not be an obstacle to the emergence of a sports culture in the country. If there is proper supervision by local bodies, people's representatives, youth and political organisations, anti-social activities can be prevented.

The sports department should also be ready to provide playing equipment and guidelines. All government departments should convert the places available to them into playing fields and provide opportunities for the younger generation to practice there. The courtyards of government offices, including police stations, can also be converted to playing fields for volleyball, shuttle badminton, kabaddi, and kho-kho.

District Collector Premkrishnan, who impromptu joined in a cricket game with children, exemplifies the fervour for the game existing even among high-ranking officials. Sreekuttan raised the need of the hour before the Education Minister. The minister should join hands with the Sports Department to implement this project across Kerala.

Congratulations to Sreekuttan, who fought against all odds and made it to the Indian team, and also to Minister V. Sivankutty, the former head of the Football Association, for encouraging and taking measures for the sport to grow in a cricket-frenzy state.