Non Compliance with SAI High Jump Safety Standards Raises Concerns at KVS Regional Meet

This very same month started with the tragic death of a Pune-based boy who lost his life at the hands of a falling basketball pole. This highlighted that the infrastructural gaps in sports facilities need to be addressed as a priority. However, here we are witnessing another case of infrastructural leakage.

The Haryana-based 55th Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) Regional Sports Meet, being held at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium, had its competitors land on broken pieces of foam after making their jump for the high jump events, which were not equipped to provide safety for these candidates. Landing on the ground, during which their speed will magnify the force due to the mass times acceleration, could have caused serious injuries to these athletes.

“It was the duty of the organisers to arrange their stuff (mats). However, on their request to the arena authorities, we have provided them with whatever we have in stock. The requirement of purchasing goods was already given to the department, but as of now… we have only this much to offer,” said Rajbeer Ranga, District Sports Officer (DSO), who was also the chief guest at the opening ceremony.

“It was fine, considering the age of the players. They are still beginners and cannot jump beyond a certain limit. We have covered the well-maintained mats with the torn ones so that the jumpers don’t feel shock or bounce back. It’s perfectly normal for budding jumpers,” added a local official present at the ground who didn’t wish to be named.

“It was fine, considering the age of the players. They are still beginners and cannot jump beyond a certain limit. We have covered the well-maintained mats with the torn ones so that the jumpers don’t feel shock or bounce back. It’s perfectly normal for budding jumpers,” added a local official present at the ground who didn’t wish to be named.