Sports in India has witnessed a significant surge in recent years. The country's performance in prestigious International events has yielded a greater number of medals across a wider array of disciplines. In the past, winning a medal in hockey was considered a major achievement. To achieve the presence of a robust Association is essential.
The Central Government is advocating for the implementation of the new sports policy. The rationale behind this initiative is rooted in the belief that a well-managed sports association has the potential to nurture champions.
Presently, many sports associations are governed like personal domains, prioritising power dynamics over the welfare of athletes and the sport itself. The individuals at the helm have no background in sports. Consequently, their understanding of the sport's intricacies and requirements is limited or entirely absent. Leadership roles in sports associations are viewed as a symbol of prestige not a mission.
The National Sports Governance Bill 2024 aims to promote ethical practices and ensure the governance of sports in a unified, equitable, and efficient manner, with standards that align with international best practices. The deadline for submitting comments is October 25th, so time is of the essence if you wish to voice your opinion. However, it is anticipated that many sports associations may resist this policy, as it threatens to disrupt their current unethical, inequitable, and ineffective practices, particularly in light of their subpar performance in international competitions and gross mismanagement.
The Sports Association of Goa (SAG), the primary State entity overseeing various sports associations, has reiterated its call for detailed reports on funds allotted for equipment procurement and training camps in preparation for the National Games in October 2023. Despite numerous reminders, most associations have yet to provide the necessary information. The concept of accountability is relatively new to sports associations, prompting the introduction of the new policy that seeks to establish the Apex bodies as Section 8 of the Companies Act. Similarly, State bodies will be required to comply with this standard. Once the transition to a Company is complete, maintaining meticulous and timely audited financial records will become a standard practice. This transformation will also mean that financial records will be available for scrutiny through the Registrar of Companies, replacing the current process of using the RTI route.
The request made by the SAG for a report on the allocated funds signifies that at the highest level, financial backing is being extended to promote sports and athletes. This is complemented by private sponsorship where various organizations consistently lend their support to athletes. With the implementation of the new sports policy, there is set to be a substantial augmentation in this assistance, as sports and athletes will now be eligible for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. This momentous progression is anticipated to significantly benefit budding athletes and contribute towards the nurturing of sporting talent.
A petition had to be submitted in the High Court for the second time by cycling enthusiasts seeking justice. Initially, they approached the High Court due to an arbitrary selection policy. Despite the athlete meeting the required criteria, they were unjustly excluded from the list of participants. The court rectified this injustice. In the case of Olympian Edgar Mascarenhas, following the 1992 Olympics, he expressed unfavourable remarks about the Indian Hockey Association (IHF), leading to a ban on his participation in hockey. Nonetheless, he challenged this ban in court and successfully had it overturned. This narrative dates back to the 1990s, indicating a lack of progress. The new policy proposes the establishment of an Athletics Commission aimed at providing recourse for athletes facing similar challenges.
Sports associations consist of members forming a closed group known as membership. The Cycling Association of Goa (CAG) has only been able to recruit 30 members since its establishment in 2008. In contrast, private cycling associations throughout Goa have amassed over 100 members each since uniting during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Remarkably, these private cycling associations are the ones organizing racing events, endurance challenges, and even advocacy rides for causes such as cleanliness, traffic awareness, and voter participation. Government agencies often seek their support for such initiatives, while the official cycling association merely conducts trials, despite its stated mission to “control, promote, standardize, and popularize the sport of Cycling across the State”.
The SAG granted the CAG approximately 57 lakh for equipment and a training camp. CAG has raised invoices for approximately Rs 14 lakh for a 45-day residential camp. The 13 players say they attend a 49 day one hour camp daily at their own cost? How did 13 players and four officials fit in a residential bungalow or how did all of them get transported with their cycles in a tempo traveller, eat three meals a day, is otherwise difficult to find out.
But, thanks to technology, it is very easy to find out the truth. Google has location history. If investigated properly, one would be able to tell if the camp actually happened or it was a ploy to embezzle the funds. Either way, the matter must be probed.
Prior to leasing, CAG would have obtained quotations to compare rental rates and amenities. When securing accommodation for seventeen individuals, a small hotel would have been more suitable. It is reasonable to assume that for transporting bicycles, a suitable transport vehicle would also be necessary; evidently, this aspect was overlooked, otherwise the expenses would have been greater. The choice to rent a vehicle from an events management company rather than a specialized transporter raises questions.
The National Sports Development Code of India, 2011, which is current, wishes that “elections to sports bodies should be governed by clear, transparent and fair rules.
The terms of office should be of limited duration in order to allow renewal of office bearers on a regular basis and give access to new candidates”.
The elections to CAG have been stayed by the high court and Registrar of Societies has been asked to review the status of those who applied for membership and their eligibility to vote. Sports associations have to get used to bringing in fresh blood as envisaged in the sport code.
To enhance our medal tally at the international level, we require proficient administrators who can ensure the cultivation of grassroots sporting talent through a “unified focus on excellence, fair decision-making, and efficient governance”. As members of society, we eagerly anticipate the new sports policy to make a significant impact and for athletes to leave a lasting impression on the global stage.
Jai Hind!
(The author prefers
to write rather than
chat in a balcao)