Athletes must be protected or we will have a generation without athletes: Kerala High Court

It is necessary to support and safeguard India's athletes, or we would risk having a future generation without any sports talents, the Kerala High Court orally observed on Wednesday..Justice Devan Ramachandran emphasized that society also requires athletes and that is not just professionals like doctors, lawyers, and engineers who should be extended support. “Athletes now have to be protected or we will have a generation without athletes... We don’t just need doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc. We require the best of athletes,” the judge remarked..The Court was considering a plea by a young handball player from a middle-class family who had sought financial support to repair a ligament injury..Justice Ramachandran was told that she was forced to approach the High Court in the matter as she had no money to undergo the surgery needed to repair her injury. The Court was also informed that the Kerala Sports Council was yet to respond to her request for financial aid. .Taking a serious view of the matter, the Court has sought responses from the concerned functionaries by November 3 (today). .In its order admitting the case, the Court also underscored the importance of providing essential support to the handball player before the Court, as the nation could otherwise lose a promising athlete.“Normally, this Court is not required to write a detailed order at the stage of admission of a Writ Petition. However, I choose to do so because, if the essential support is not offered to the petitioner now, perhaps our nation will lose an athlete of great promise. This is something that the Government of Kerala also must keep in mind,” said the Court..The Court has asked the counsel for the Kerala Sports Council and the State authorities to get instructions from these authorities on the issue. The Court also sought the response of the Kannur District Sports Council and the Kerala Handball Association..The petitioner was represented by advocates Mahesh V Ramakrishnan and Praveen KS. Government Pleader Sunil Kumar Kuriakose appeared for the State. Standing counsel Latha Anand appeared for the Kerala Sports Council..[Read Order]