Kudos
to Neeraj Chopra, Mirabhai Channu, PV Sindhu and others for their recent
success at the Tokyo Olympics. The Indian athletes have made the nation proud
winning the highest number of medals at the recently concluded Olympic Games.
But
it’s only after their triumph the Government has awarded cash rewards to the
athletes — A strange practice where the Government pours money in victories
rather than in developing the champions.
The
kind of money one gets after winning is huge. Sports federations, corporate
houses, politicians’ –you name it, and they are all present to shower rewards.
Well that is definitely deserving for the amount of effort these athletes have
put in over the years. Neeraj Chopra was rewarded with Rs 13 crore while the
silver medallist Mirabhai Chanu was given nearly Rs 5 crore along with all the
other facilities.
We
are not against such a practice, appreciation is good, but do you think this is
a solution to get maximum glory to the nation? Definitely not.
Instead
the government and corporate houses could think otherwise.
It’s
the development stage of an athlete which burns maximum resources and would
need maximum support from various authorities. This is the stage where the
athletes need maximum resources, but are left to fight their own battle. The
association, sporting bodies and athletes ‑ all are left to fend for themselves
at the crucial part of their grooming process. This is the time the money
should be funded into the sport.
The
victory always tastes sweet but the journey has been bitter for any
sportsperson. The process of training and procuring equipment proves expensive
where many probable talents back out at an early stage while few continue for
their passion backed by their own determination or hardworking family.
But
is that the only battle they fight? Well that’s just the start of the ordeal.
The athletes then have to train amidst lack of proper infrastructure and this
is not a secret any more. Twenty-five kms away from the sporting facility,
silver-medallist Chanu had to depend on Sand transportation trucks to travel
for her training. This is a classic case where she was left to fight her own
battle. The Indian hockey captain had to play with a broken stick. Unimaginable
but sadly true. We often find athletes being vocal about these situations
across India. In Goa it’s even worse. Many athletes have been vocal about the
lack of support from the Government and sports bodies. But who listens? It’s
like sounding a gong, with no decibels.
Besides
football, Goa hasn’t made a name in other sports at the national stage, but
Yash Fadte has taken the tiny State’s name at the world stage. For all who
don’t know Yash, he is a Goa-based squash sensation who has won the Junior US
Open. Well he isn’t the only athlete but he is the best case where despite
being a top squash player in the world, he was left to fend for himself
throughout his journey and is still training on his own. For the last 7-8
years, he’s been travelling to Mumbai on weekends for the training due to lack
of facilities in the State.
With
the rising popularity and acceptance of various sports in the country, we all
thought and expected that things would change for good in Indian sports
culture. However, with more achievements, things are more likely to remain the
same in a country which likes to contribute only to the victories. The
statement might appear harsh, but the bitter truth and the actual situation is
even worse.
From
lack of basic provisions, faulty equipment to poor infrastructure, who even
hears their cry? It’s only when the medals are won, they are remembered,
praised and rewarded. Otherwise, they are lost in the long list of athletes,
who could have earned us a medal, but are lost due to the lack of support from
the competent authority.
There
is no limit for talent in India. A country of 1.3 billion people has managed to
make champions in the field of cricket, thanks to the tremendous cash flow in
the sports and best infrastructure provided throughout the country. Instead of
shelling crores after victories, if the authorities work on a sporting system
and a policy to provide maximum sporting facilities across the country with
best infrastructure and support to the athletes, we will be able to garner
maximum medals at the games.
–ASSOCIATIONS
SPEAK THEIR HEARTS OUT!—
Post
Olympics and medals we have seen money pouring for the winners, and that is
good and deserving. But the question is why after? Actually money and support
is required initially to reach that level. Corporate or well-of persons or even
Government should start adapting talented children for sub-junior ground and
for the next ten years need to take complete care of their diet, coaching,
basic facilities like equipments and other requirements, competitions, etc, to
the extent of assuring a secured job. Only then, we can hope for more medals.
Since competition is heavy, more training is required.
‑Gurudatta
Bhakta, Secretary Goa Olympic Association
Many
good prospects give up at the initial stage due to lack of financial support at
the initial level. Very few will endure the immense hardships that are there in
the initial stages to reach National standards. This can be overcome by
utilising the funds more smartly. Government must merge the Khelo India Games
with the Nationals conducted by the Federations. By conducting separate Games,
there is duplication of effort and substantial funds get utilised in the
bargain, which can otherwise be earmarked to the athletes for their training.
The best talents of the Country can be identified and these athletes can be
funded directly to meet their training requirements along with exposure through
National/International participation. On similar lines, Goa can identify the
best pool of talent, say 20 to 30 players across all disciplines, and initiate
a long-term grooming plan for these shortlisted athletes who have the potential
to win laurels for State and Country.
-Sandeep
Heble, Secretary, Goa Badminton Association
India
has highly talented rigorous stamina-filled sports personalities, who mostly
are from poor families and struggle to come to the limelight through their own
hard work as we have heard many stories of the Olympians speak. If this talent
is spotted initially and the sports men/women are trained, India would have won
so many medals. All the Corporates and the Government want to just eat a baked
cake. I agree that the sports personalities who won should be rewarded but if
the corporate and the Government can pour in so much money in crores, why don’t
they build stadiums, academies and provide facilities for the upcoming talented
sports personalities, who are left, to get training on their meagre income
which is not enough to motivate them and their families who take the trouble.
–
Farrel Furtado E Gracias, Vice President Goans Hockey & Exe Committee
member G.O.A
We
ought to follow the Chinese model. Catch the best talents when they are young
and train them vigorously to be World champions. Focus on Olympic Games where
India has the potential to excel such as Table Tennis, Badminton, Gymnastics,
Swimming, Athletics, etc. Groom them in a residential academy where all their
needs are taken care of right from diet, education and best of training. Also,
these athletes who are selected should secure their future through good jobs in
Public sector companies like PSPB, Airport Authority, etc.
–
Christopher Menezes, Former State TT Player and Secretary. Goa TT Association
–
Reward Earned –
Neeraj
Chopra
(Gold
in Javelin throw, Athletics)
From
Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar: Rs 6 crore
From
Punjab CM Amarinder Singh: Rs 2 crore
From
IOA: Rs 75 lakh
From
BCCI: Rs 1 crore
From
Chennai Super Kings: Rs 1 crore
From
IndiGo airlines: Unlimited free travel for 1 year
From
Elan Group: Rs 25 lakh
From
BYJU’s: Rs 2 crore
To
be made head of upcoming centre for excellence in athletics in Panchkula
Mirabai
Chanu
(Silver
in weightlifting)
From
railways minister Ashwini Vasihnaw: Rs 2 crore
From
Manipur CM N Biren Singh: Rs 1 crore
From
BCCI: Rs 50 lakhs
From
IOA: Rs 40 lakhs
From
BYJU’s: Rs 1 crore
From
Manipur CM N Biren Singh: to be made additional superintendent of police in
State police departments
Ravi
Dahiya:
(Silver
in Wrestling)
From
Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar: Rs 4 crore
From
BCCI: Rs 50 lakh
From
IOA: Rs 40 lakh
From
BYJU’s: Rs 1 crore
Government
Job, HSVP plot at concessional rate
PV
Sindhu
(Bronze
in badminton)
Andra
Pradesh Government: Rs 30 lakh
From
BCCI: Rs 25 lakh
From
IOA: Rs 25 lakh
From
BYJU’s: Rs 1 crore
