In conversation with the Executive Director of Sports Authority of Goa (SAG), V.M Prabhu Desai and Director for Sports and Youth Affairs post handing over of a cheque amounting to Rs. 23,55,000 to a Goan Mountaineer, Rahul Prabhudessai for his expedition to Mount Everest attempt. The cash was provided to this boy towards the betterment of sports and special financial assistance. This boy attempted to climb a particular altitude of Mount Everest. He was the first sportsperson to avail of this scheme and was awarded the same on August 6 of this year.
Herald: Isn’t the Rs. 23 lakhs largesse given away to a failed Mount Everest mountaineer, Rahul Prabhudessai nepotism and political favouritism?
V.M Prabhu Desai: It was decided to give him. Like that so many people go and fail. Now, about 700 athletes have gone for the Asian Games but all of them have not come back victorious or got medals. To have those kinds of arguments of failed attempt is not proper. The money was meant for his endeavor as he was the first Goan who tried submitting the Everest.
Herald: Is mountaineering recognised as a sport in Goa?
V.M Prabhu Desai: Yes, very much mountaineering is a sport recognized by the Government of India. Hiking, trekking and mountaineering is recognised by the Sports Authority of Goa (SAG).
Herald: Recently, the Goan bound sailors who requested for windsurfing boards which would cost just Rs.12 to 13 lakhs to participate in the Asian Games were not given. Comment.
V.M Prabhu Desai: The boards are to be given to the Goa Yachting Association (GYA) and not the two kids. We were not supposed to give them before going for Asian Games.
Herald: Most of the Lusofonia Games participants did not get their cash Rs. 1 lakh per head reward even five years later. This mountaineer within few months of his attempt has been given the cash amount. Comment.
V.M Prabhu Desai: How are you mixing the Lusofonia Games and the mountaineering event?
Rahul Prabhudessai attempted the 29,000 feet Mount Everest during the April-May period as part of American team called International mountain guides (IMG) from Seattle. He also underwent a basic mountaineering course at Nehru institute of mountaineering. He has also been on over six expeditions in the Indian and Nepal Himalayas as well as in Russia. He incurred over Rs 50 lakhs towards the expenditure of his expedition and the year-long training.
Goa Hiking Association is recognized by Sports Authority of Goa and affiliated with Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF). They promote activities related to hiking, trekking, mountaineering and climbing in the state. In tete-a-tete with the President of Goa Hiking Association, Pramod Kamat it came to light that they learnt about this talented Goan mountaineer, Rahul Prabhudessai only this year.
Herald: Has Rahul Prabhudessai represented the Goa Hiking Association or taken up this expedition on his own?
Pramod Kamat: He went independently and probably through IMF. If anyone is interested in climbing the Himalayas or any other peak they can directly climb by informing the IMF also I think. I have not seen him participate in any events organized by us at least. He is not part of Goa Hiking Association maybe he is part of some other association from the state. It was his own decision and personal attempt to climb Mount Everest.
Herald: Do you think it is fair that a person who has failed in an expedition was given Rs. 23 lakhs?
Pramod Kamat:He has directly approached the Sports Authority of Goa who has given him the sponsorship for the expense borne in this expedition. He was paid this sponsorship by the Goa Government and Rs. 23 lakhs was given to him. One requires around Rs 50 lakhs at least to complete this kind of expedition. There are a lot of things that have to be purchased and a big investment involved to take up a trip like this. This person has attempted to climb but has failed.
Herald: How easy or difficult is it to take up an expedition like this?
Pramod Kamat: To climb Mount Everest you need a lot of documentation, NOC from IMF in New Delhi which controls the mountaineering clearance. Through our association no one has as yet attempted to climb Mount Everest. From our association people have done the basic Himalayan trek at their own cost and through some private sponsorship. I don’t think they have taken any money from the Government. So much of money he has received and not completed the expedition which is a waste of money I feel.
