Lok Sabha Election 2019: Political parties no game for sports

The 2019 General Elections are now round the corner. And so is the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, as the qualifying process has already started for our elite athletes to secure a berth in this coveted event.

So, what is the road map our political parties have been laying down for our athletes?

With manifestos of almost all major political parties out, the talk of becoming a global sporting power looks to be a distant dream for many decades to come. How much our political parties actually care for sports and sportsmen can be judged from the fact that none of the mainstream party – BJP or Congress – has dedicated a "full page" to such a subject which has mass appeal, or so what we have been thinking all our lives!

Ruling BJP, which has for the first time showed courage to make an ex-Olympian Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore as sports minister, has summed up its vision for sports in just a few lines. "Our government has taken comprehensive steps to develop the culture of sports in the country through the 'Khelo India' scheme, and we will continue to provide adequate resources under this scheme to ensure the achievement of declared objectives. Under this scheme, special attention will be given to encourage sporting talent among women and tribals," the manifesto reads.

Congress, on the other hand, has given little more than this but without any great insight into "what it needs to become sporting power like China". Both the manifestos speak about sufficient funds to promote sports amongst women. BJP has a special mention of much publicised 'Khelo India', which according to party insiders was the game-changer during the last five years.

But Congress candidate from Dhanbad, Kirti Azad, a three-time MP, has a different take on the issue. "I went to the court in DDCA matter to ensure transparency is brought in, not just in the management of cricket association, but all other sports," said the member of India's 1983 World Cup squad.

When asked for his vision in case he is being made in-charge of this ministry, Azad added: "Sports Code should be implemented on the same lines of Justice Lodha Committee recommendations, which has been accepted in toto by Supreme Court in July 2016. Look at the situation in India... In Hockey, Australian coach Graham Reid today becomes our 25th coach in last 26 years. How can we see professionalism in such a scenario where the coach doesn't know whether he will be the coach the next day or not? A lot needs to be done in sports and Congress has the vision to take us forward by giving a chance to professionals to run the respective sports disciplines."

Apart from Azad, former Olympian Krishna Punia has been pitted against Rathore from Jaipur rural. The battle between these two sporting heroes has made the contest interesting and can divide the Rajasthan's Jat community.

The Road Ahead

India's first individual Olympic gold winner, Abhinav Bindra, recently pointed out how the United Kingdom's huge spending on athletes before the 2016 Rio Games translated into more medals.

A study to compare India against the UK shows how our country spends roughly a one fourth on sports budget compared to the UK. It also shows how the UK spends money on fewer athletes compared to India, where spending is diffused among numerous federations and athletes.

This is also because the UK has 18 million people aged between 15 and 35, while India has more than 400 million youth in that age group. A survey just after the Rio Games calculated the £5.5 million ($7 million) investment per medal by UK Sport, a govt body that funds and manages Olympic sport.

In simple words, the UK spends $1.5 billion (nearly Rs 9000 crore) on sports infrastructure and training through an annual sports budget, while UK Sport spent about $350 million on Olympics preparation over four years (2013-2017).

In comparison, India spends a third of UK, or Rs 3,200 crore on youth affairs and sports through the Union budget and the states, according to estimates from a review of sports budgets of six large states.

Political field

Congress party, interestingly, has also promised 'Centres of Sporting Excellence' in different parts of the country and at least one 'Sports Counselling Centre' in every district, besides sufficient funds to "promote sports among girls and women, persons with disabilities and disadvantaged groups such as Scheduled Tribes."

"Congress affirms its belief that India has the potential to become a great sporting nation. Our sports policy will aim to inculcate in our citizens, especially students and youth, the culture of sports and fitness and will encourage sports as a career," says the manifesto.

It will be interesting to see how many sportsmen will become members of the next Lok Sabha. But what will be more interesting is to see how many of them would be able to take up the cause of sports in the next five years. India certainly wants to imitate China when it comes to industry growth, but can the same be sought in sporting arena where China has truly become a world power since winning its first gold medal at the Los Angeles Games of 1984.

China has gradually made tracks towards becoming a world sports power along with economic growth. And if India has to come anywhere near to China, it has to demonstrate its stature as a sports powerhouse, too!