Dinesh Kamath's Editorial 'Overhauling of National sports needed' that was published in Newsband

Overhauling of National sports needed

India experienced both highs and lows during the just-concluded Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. The discus thrower Vikas Gowda and badminton player Parupalli Kashyap won gold medals and did India proud. But the arrest of two Indian officials was shameful news for India.

During the Delhi Games too the sports administrators had faced corruption charges. Today, the sports administrators are once again the butt of ridicule. Indian officials arrest on the final day depicts their careless attitude towards work culture. However, the arrested officials were released without charge for lack of evidence and hence it appears whether it was just a sensation created by media pronouncing judgments even before a charge. But one thing is true and that is there is a need to enforce discipline among sports administrators.

India slumped to the fifth place in the medals tally from its second spot in the New Delhi Games. The total gold for India this time, at 15, was the poorest since 1998 when it was seven. It was 38 in Delhi, 22 in 2006 and 30 in 2002. What will boost India’s performance in foreign soil are liberal funding for foreign exposure, strict adherence to selection standards and a sense of discipline and commitment among athletes, coaches and administrators.

Look at Australia. Australia's entire population is almost the same as Mumbai's population yet they win so many medals in these games. Indians in general tend to get satisfied with mediocrity in sports and this is just another occasion.

The performance of Indian squad in the Scotland Commonwealth Games was far from satisfactory even from its past performance specially in Delhi CWG. Fifth position in the CWG is a poor reflection on our sporting capabilities even after 65 years of independence. It is high time our government spent its time, money and energy for uplifting sports in India.

There is also a need to stop appointing the officials on the basis of their clout in the government. The political interference is spoiling the whole show, though our athletes struggle hard to keep the country's flag high. These officials chosen by the politicians have less feeling for the sports since they are not from that faculty. Thirdly they are never held responsible for the results, whether India gets more medals or not. Their career is safe. Moreover they are only enamoured of the 'phoren' trips and perceived enjoyment attached to it. This irresponsible position makes them what they are. Instead, we should employ ex-sports persons for administration if the things need to improve.

Need of the hour is not to criticise athletes but administration which is more politicised, bureaucratised and corrupt. There is a need to have overhauling of National sports policy which will have more say for sports experts rather than for politicians. Occasional show of brilliance by any player, a transient and fleeting hope, is not because of but in spite of the system that supports and administers sports.