Players bare varsity’s apathy Protesting lousy kits, the players took the court bare-chested and then went on to lodge their protest outside the VC office by Archit Watts
Chandigarh, September 24Fund-rich Panjab University felt embarrassed when its basketball players played bare-chested in protest against the lousy kits provided to them during the Panjab University Inter-College Basketball (Men) A-Division Championship today.
The incident which, according to many, was actually a fallout of the ongoing tussle between the director, sports department, PU, CS Grewal, and deputy director, sports department, PU, Dolly, delayed the match by one hour as the players initially started it bare-chested and then walked out and protested outside the VC office after the match.
According to the players, it was lousy uniform that enraged them.
”When we were getting ready for the match, they gave us vests instead of T-shirts. When we complained these were withdrawn. But the new T-shirts that came were misfit. PU gets enough grants. Can’t it provide us proper uniforms? To bring the real story behind the varsity’s tall claims, we had to take this step,” said a player.
“Every time, we ask for facilities they say that funds have come and it will be done soon, but nothing happens. In return of all laurels that we bring to it, don’t we deserve even a proper kit?” added another player.
Meanwhile, after this dramatic turn of events, director and deputy director of sports exchanged heated arguments and accused each other for the blunder.
CS Grewal said, “It is the duty of Dolly, who is supposed to manage all but she didn’t. There was some mistake on part of the sports department and players too, but the matter has been sorted out.”
Surprisingly, Dolly seemed unperturbed and claimed, “It’s not my fault. The players were not carrying the identity cards along with them and after getting permission from referee, and other team, the match was started. Within half an hour, the cards were shown to the referee and there was nothing else.”
The PU players, along with members of the Panjab University Campus Students’ Council, went to the Vice-Chancellor office and apprised him of the matter but he could not be contacted for his comments.

Chandigarh Tribune September 25, 2009