Gujarat coaches protest delay in promotions, demand action from SAG

Sports coaches in Gujarat are up in arms against the Sports Authority of Gujarat (SAG) for allegedly ignoring their seniority and delaying promotions for the past five years.

In a written complaint to the Director General of SAG, IAS officer R S Ninama, the Coaches’ Welfare Association of Gujarat has alleged, “As many as 113 coaches recruited in 2016-17 and 2017-18 have not been promoted till date. While 42 positions are vacant for promotions, instead of assigning the charge to senior coaches, it is being given to district sports officers (DSOs), blatantly disregarding the 113 senior coaches.”

The complaint further states, “Our demands for allocation of new pension scheme accounts and group insurance benefits are also pending. The Department of Social Justice & Empowerment has already approved the list of seniorities to be provided promotions, as well as the type of candidates to be promoted, nearly two years ago. Despite this, the promotions have not taken place.”

Allegations are also being framed that while 42 promotions of the DSOs have been approved, they have not been assigned duties.

DSO posts in Mehsana, Jamnagar, and Aravalli are also vacant. Alongside, the post of school director, which oversees the sports activities of 237 schools, at the SAG head office, is also vacant.

Additionally, four positions of the chief coach are also vacant.

Reacting to the allegations, SAG DG Ninama stated, “Many confidential reports have not been signed by higher officials. If they hand over the signed reports, we will grant them promotion.”