Centralised sports trials upset college aspirants

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While Delhi University has decided to conduct centralised sports trials for students seeking admissions through sports quota to ensure transparency, students apparently are not too upbeat about this decision. Sports trials, which will be conducted centrally by the university and not individual colleges this time, will not leave students with the option of choosing the college of their choice.
“With 75% weightage given to certificates and 25% to performance in the trial, what are they trying to prove? Does it leave me with the option of applying in the college I want? If they wanted transparency, they should’ve given more weightage to sports trials or at least close to the importance given to certificates. If you give only 25 per cent weightage to sports trials, will it benefit those students who have just played at the zonal level?” says Richa Nathani, a DU aspirant.
Since lines are blurred as to how the admission process will take place under the centralised quota, many students are wondering if this new system will bring in transparency or make things more difficult. Not only are fresh sports enthusiasts confused, but also experienced ones. “Under the sports quota, I’m sure they will only focus on experienced players, and not fresh ones. Over the years, many of us play with different teams and make contacts with coaches from various colleges who know our capability, so it helps in getting admissions. This won’t work anymore. After practicing all these years, I might still not get the college I want,” says Utsav Chaudhary, a young cricketer from Modern School, who will seek admission under the sports quota this year.
If you ask experts in the field, they share a similar perspective on this debate. Says Sandeep Singh, a coach from Gargi College, “It is not possible to centralise admissions just like that. Each college has its own preference and priority while selecting a candidate. There are times when we need a striker, and don’t really admit anyone else. That authority is not there now. Why can’t the college have the authority to decide on the kind of players it wants?”
“That’s what the whole idea is. This will now bring in transparency but the judges for these trials should be experienced sportsmen, and they should only take genuine sportsmen,” says ex-cricketer Chetan Chauhan.
Says Radhika Sabarwal, a second year student who got admitted through sports quota, “It’ll be transparent for sure, and will also be good for those who have spent a major part of their school lives playing.”