‘Politics in sports’ assumes centrestage

Pratibha Chauhan

Even as the rhetoric about keeping politics out of sports is heard time and again, in Himachal the situation is no different with politicians and bureaucrats heading most sports associations.

Having got a clean chit from the Supreme Court, which ordered quashing of the FIR registered against three-time BJP MP Anurag Thakur, former Chief Minister PK Dhumal and 10 others in the cases registered against the HP Cricket Association (HPCA), the issue of “politics in sports” has once again assumed a centrestage.

Politicians contend that it would be unfair to keep them out merely because they happen to be “netas.” They also put forth the argument that it is by way of their stature that sports bodies are able to attract funds, failing which most sports association would die.

Thakur, a former Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) president, asserts that the court verdict is only an affirmation of his stand of being a victim of “political vendetta.” He, along with his father and other HPCA officials, remained at the receiving end during the previous Congress regime, which slapped six cases against the cricket body. The Supreme Court verdict has come as a major reprieve for Thakur, just before the Lok Sabha poll. Even as he faces three more Vigilance cases with regard to the construction of the stadium, his biggest regret is that instead of being applauded for his efforts for bringing international cricket to Dharamsala, he received brickbats and insinuation.

Even as the two main political players — the BJP and the Congress — are unanimous in their view that they can’t be debarred from heading sports bodies, this can’t stop them from hurling accusations at each other for promoting their personal agenda. While the Congress has accused the Jai Ram regime of trying to withdraw the cases registered against HPCA, involving BJP leaders, the ruling party retorts by terming these as politically motivated cases.

The Himachal Pradesh Sports (Registration, Recognition and Regulation of Association) Bill passed by the Vidhan Sabha on April 11, 2015, remained pending with the Governor for over two years. The BJP on returning to power withdrew the bill, but a new legislation is still awaited. While the Congress said the bill was meant to bring about transparency and ensure democratic functioning of the 42 sports associations, the BJP felt the real motive was to hit out at the HPCA and more specifically Anurag Thakur.

Notwithstanding the political hounding Thakur faced, sports promotion still remains his passion, for which he strongly feels much more needs to be done at every level. He is not averse to politicians heading sports bodies provided they don’t do politics. On the other hand, Congress leaders accuse Thakur of misusing his father’s position as CM to gain control over the HPCA and committing alleged irregularities which are being fought in various courts of law.

All said and done, the fact remains that a majority of politicians, be it from any party, have the urge and desire to head sports bodies as it gives them an added aura and clout, which adds to their political stature with sports promotion not being a priority for most.

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‘Politicians’ presence can help in raising funds’ Anurag Thakur, Hamirpur MP, president, HP Olympic Association & Hockey

Are you in favour of politicians heading various sports bodies, as is the case in Himachal?

I see no problem in politicians heading sports associations as long as they have a mindset for the promotion of the sport and not for politics. Rather, politicians are more than welcome in sports bodies, as their presence can help in raising funds, which is necessary for the promotion of a sport. Since sports associations are autonomous bodies, they face severe fund crunch, as neither the state nor Central government provides big funds. Most of the associations face huge paucity of funds and the presence of a prominent politician can help raise the much needed funds. Having ample funds at one’s disposal is a must to be able to create the necessary infrastructure and provide budding talent with all possible facilities and help. I got associated with cricket bodies much before I joined politics. So, I am not in it because of my political stature, but because I have played the sport.

Are you in favour of eminent sportsperson being given the charge of sports associations, as having played the sport they would be in a better position to promote it?

It is not necessary that every sportsperson who has excelled on the field can be a good administrator or a good coach. There are several examples of people, who were brilliant sportsperson, but failed miserably when handed over the reins of a sports body. So, the issue cannot be generalised, it can vary from individual to individual.

Do you feel various sports associations are doing justice and performing their duty towards promoting the sport?

Well, it’s a mixed bag, as some are doing extremely well, while others are almost defunct. The governments, both in the state and Centre, have not created the infrastructure to the extent that it should have. Besides facing resource crunch, another problem with most associations is that these are not run professionally. In most cases, they do not have any clue about the upcoming talent, how to build and support them with latest technology, which is a must in the present time. I personally feel the best way to keep our youngsters off drugs is to keep them involved in sports. One needs to have passion to do well.

Do you agree that cricket is accorded too much importance than any other sport, resulting in other sports and achievers in that sport getting a step-motherly treatment?

I totally disagree. Any sport in which we have big achievers catches the fancy of fans and youngsters. You can take the example of achievers like Sania Mirza, Mary Kom, Saina Nehwal, Abhinav Bindra or Sakshi Malik, who by measure of their personal success, have managed to popularise the game they play. When a sport creates a star, others are inspired to take up the game and this is true in case of wrestling, badminton, shooting and many other games.

As far as I am concerned, I try to popularise all sports. I have associated more than 20,000 youth in my Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat with five sports—volleyball, football, kabaddi, cricket and basketball. The endeavour of Himachal Pradesh Olympic Association that I am heading is also to promote every sport and hunt young talent and provide them with full support to be able to perform well.

Are sports achievers getting due recognition and assistance?

Not really when we compare the incentives with our neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana. We need to do much more than what we are doing presently for our achievers in various sports. This will encourage the youth to take up sports.

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‘Attempt to capture sports body for one’s political interest wrong’ Ram Lal Thakur, Former minister

Are you in favour of politicians heading various sports bodies, as is the case in Himachal?

You cannot debar anyone from heading a sports federation or an association, including politicians. Today, it’s not just politicians but bureaucrats and technocrats also who head various sports bodies. It is owing to their stature in society that they are able to raise the much needed funds for running these sports bodies, which are almost starved of funds. The government is not funding these bodies fully and to be able to facilitate the participation of sportsperson in national, state or other championships, funds are required.

Besides, there are several politicians, who have a sports background. What’s wrong is when there is an attempt to capture a sports body with the intent of using it for the furtherance of one’s political interest. That is when things go wrong and people target politicians for politicising sports. I have a serious objection to such behaviour, when it is not sports promotion but political motive, which is the driving force.

You have been very vociferous in your criticism of the alleged wrongdoings by the HP Cricket Association. What do you have to say now when the Supreme Court has ordered quashing of FIR against the HPCA?

The outcome of the case is a failure on the part of previous Congress regime to present the facts of the case properly. With some of the senior bureaucrats in the Chief Minister’s office during the previous Congress regime being responsible for granting favours to HPCA, facts were not brought to the notice of the court. This gave benefit to the HPCA, as the officials tried to save it to save their own skin.

Do you feel enough is being done by successive governments to promote sports and hunt young talent who can bring laurels to the state?

No, much more needs to be done to promote sports and young talent. I have myself played kabaddi at national-level and understand the pain and agony of a player when he is denied his due. It is the responsibility of the government to create infrastructure, which is miserably lacking. It hurts players when 

the money meant for them is misused for somebody’s personal interest. As per the Olympic discipline, one cannot play till he or she is not associated with a federation or an association. Moreover, with the change of regime, sports bodies are captured by those close to the ruling party, using their clout. This has to end and we all need to cleanse the mess.

Congress was accused of bringing in the sports bill, which was passed by the Vidhan Sabha to rein in the HPCA? Do you agree?

The sole motive behind the bill was to sort out the mess in various sports bodies, which was in the interest of sports promotion and young talent. It was to bring about transparency, accountability and complete democracy in the functioning of sports bodies. The BJP cried foul as they sensed that it would put an end to the control some politicians had over sports bodies, which are being run as their own fiefdom with the HPCA being a perfect example. As expected, the BJP regime withdrew the bill, which had been pending with the Governor since it was passed. There was a talk of bringing about a new legislation, which now doesn’t seem to be on the agenda of the sports minister. 

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‘Players should head’

I am heading the Athletics Association because I was asked to head it while I was the Minister for Sports in my previous stint. I would be more than happy to hand over the reins to a sportsperson, as he would be able to do justice to the job. I am of the firm opinion that sports bodies should have more players than politicians.

Anil Sharma, Minister for Power, president, State Athletics Association

‘Groom young talent’

It is immaterial who heads the sports body. Whether the command is in the hands of politicians or bureaucrats, the person should work towards betterment of the sport and groom young talent. The government needs to overhaul the sports policy and make drastic changes like other states. Unless and until you give due recognition to the achievers, youngsters will not get inspired.

Vijay Kumar, Shooter, Olympic and Asiad medal winner

‘Support to Sports Bill must’

Per se, I feel rather than politicians, sportsperson should be heading the sports bodies. However, there should be no bar on politicians who have played the sport at national or state level to head the body. I have been associated with the game. The BJP regime should also bring about the Sports Bill, which they had promised, but it should ensure accountability, transparency and a fixed term for office-bearers.

Vikramaditya Singh, Congress MLA & President of the State Rifle Association