Narang declines Mittal contract

NEW DELHI: The 40-crore Mittal Champions Trust (MCT) continues to find limited favour with the emerging stars of Indian sport. The latest high-profile athlete to turn down the Trust’s contract is Gagan Narang, the present world number one in the 10m air rifle category. “There are just too many binding clauses that are not clear. Actually I had contacted MCT for support but once I read the contract document, I was no longer keen,” says the 23-year-old who came back with a haul of four gold from the Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

Contentious aspects of the contract had earlier seen former world snooker champion Pankaj Advani and national swimmer Shikha Tandon refusing to put their names on the dotted line. Subequent to DNA publishing their objections on November 19 last year, a new contract has been drawn out which has amended some of the more debatable issues.

For instance, earlier the athletes were contractually obliged to contribute 15% of all earnings through endorsements throughout their professional sporting career to the Trust. Now this stricture extends only till three years from termination.

“We are open to discussing any clause that an athlete finds debatable and if they are still not comfortable they are welcome to look elsewhere,” says Manisha Malhotra, admnistrator of MCT. Was the revised document offered to MCT’s original two choices — Advani and Tandon? “No. They chose not to sign and we are no longer interested.”

Endorsements brings in the role of agents who usually take 15% of any deal they bring in for an athlete. Adding MCT’s stake of 15%, an athlete will lose upto 30%. However, MCT trustee Mahesh Bhupathi feels that those who benefit from the Trust must also look to support it in the future. “We are trying to create a system that continues to aid athletes for a long time to come. I don’t understand why anyone should have a problem putting something back,” he said. Bhupathi also clarified that his company Globosport does not have any stake in manging athletes chosen by MCT. 

Apart from the endorsements clause, athletes are wary of the non-performance part of the deal which makes them liable to return all the money that the Trust invests in them over a period of time. “I am not comfortable with that. What if I am unable to meet their expectations? Anyway, my sport is all about mental ease. Being liable for prosecution for under-performance is not going to aid that,” adds Narang.

Another bit that invites debate is the possibility of its termination in case an athlete is not active for a period of 90 days even on account of injury or illness.

The objective of the initiative is laudable and it has only been five months since the Trust came into being in November last year. However, initial hiccups point to a disconnect between the objectives and their implementation.

Contentious clauses

• To contribute fifteen per cent (15%) of all earnings through endorsements, publicity campaigns, media presentations and other public relations exercises in which the Athlete participates. This obligation shall survive the termination of the agreement for a period of 3 years.
  
• In the event the athlete is in violation of or negligent in fulfilling any obligations herein resulting in termination forthwith by the MCT, the MCT shall be entitled to recover all costs and expenses incurred by it.
  
• In the event the athlete does not meet up to MCT’s expectations, the MCT shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement with immediate effect and withdraw all benefits to the Athlete forthwith.
  
• If the Athlete is unable to undertake training and /or participate in sporting events for a period exceeding ninety (90) days due to injury, illness, or any other reason whatsoever, the MCT may terminate this Agreement with immediate effect.