The realisation dawned that PCMC never had a sports policy at the first meeting of the newly constituted sports committee held last week where the members expressed their annoyance and called for urgent steps to create basic sports infrastructure and improve the existing facilities. "The committee has directed the administration to submit a draft of the sports policy," said civic sports committee chairman Ghanshyam Khedekar. "Once they submit the draft, we will make necessary changes after due deliberations with all concerned," he said.

According to committee member Babu Nair, PCMC holds only one major tournament -- the Mayor's Trophy. "We have been shocked by the raw deal given to sports in the town. That exactly is the reason why not many sports persons come to limelight from Pimpri-Chinchwad," he said.

Nair, also a Congress leader, said that it was a matter of concern that PCMC is not even thinking along the lines of schools like Jnana Prabhodhini that were sending children to foreign shores to train for Olympics. "It is important that a concrete sports policy be put in place so that in the next 10 years we could see children from Pimpri-Chinchwad shining at international level," Nair said.

However, PCMC sports in-charge, Vishnu Jadhav, said that PCMC has a sports policy that keeps changing every year. "As per the new committee and new chairman, the policy keeps changing. We hold one Mayor's Trophy tournament, and 52 State Government-directed events for school children throughout the year," he said, adding that he will be submitting the year's planning before the committee.

But Nair disagrees. "By sports policy, we don't mean holding matches and tournaments. Sports policy means promoting younger generations who could represent the country and become everyone's pride," he said.

The committee, he said, is looking at a policy that is all-encompassing. "Our policy should be aimed at identifying and encouraging sports talent, bringing about drastic improvement in existing facilities, increase the basic infrastructure across the town. It is also important that facilities match the atmosphere of a particular suburb."

For instance, he said, Bhosari is a hub for wrestlers. "So it is important that better wrestling facilities are put in place there. And in Pradhikaran you will find, badminton enthusiasts in large numbers. So there should more badminton courts in Pradhikaran," Nair said, adding that increased budget layout is also required to shore up the sports scenario in town.

Uday Bhalchandra, vice-president of the Pune District Table Tennis Association, points out that a large number of table tennis enthusiasts from Pimpri-Chinchwad regularly come to Pune to participate in matches and tournaments.

"Pimpri-Chinchwad lacks decent facilities for table tennis compared to Pune as there are only two major clubs and a few halls. Besides, there is need for coaching. Expert services should be roped in to train youngsters. If proper infrastructure is provided, the youth can undoubtedly make it big," said Bhalchandra.

At present, the PCMC spends Rs 25 lakh a year on sports related activity. It has two stadiums and eight grounds.