Pankaj Advani, Shikha Tandon not comfortable with Mittal Champions Trust, which promised to bridge gap between talent and world class performance.
NEW DELHI: The Rs 40-crore Mittal Champions Trust promised to bridge the gap between talent and world class performance for Indian sportspersons. However, contentious clauses in the contract have seen world snooker champion Pankaj Advani and national swimmer Shikha Tandon refuse to sign the dotted line. "I did not agree to a few things in the contract. My liabilities would have continued even after I stop taking support from the Trust," says Pankaj. The debatable clause deals with the athletes being contractually obliged to contribute 15% of all earnings through endorsements throughout their professional sporting career.
Squash talent Joshna Chinappa has come on board. Her father Anjan, who handled the negotiation with Globosports, the administrators of the Trust on behalf of steel magnate LN Mittal, has no misgivings. "I see nothing wrong with it. How much do Joshna and Pankaj earn in the form of endorsements? Even if Joshna has to keep paying 15% for the extent of her career, I don't see her losing too much money. But at least we do not have to worry about getting her the right training," he says. CEO of Globosports Mahesh Bhupathi offers his view: "The amount generated goes back into the Trust to meet the needs of the next generation. Anyway, where do sportsmen from lesser-known sports get endorsements?" Anirban Blah, vice president of Globosports adds: "Our company too has administrative costs and the Trust cannot keep paying those who get in the deals."
The career of a snooker player can extend beyond 40. If the 20-year-old Pankaj decides to sign the original deal, he is obliged to keep paying back while he competes. For 21-year-old Shikha, the question is not about an extended career. "She has 3-4 years more to go. My objection is to the issue relating to recovery of all expenses along with 18% interest in case the long list of obligations is not met. I interpret it as being held liable even for underperformance,"says Shikha's father Rahul Tandon. "I got the impression that in gratitude we were expected to sign just anything." What has also not gone down well with the players is the clause that allows MCT to terminate the agreement if an athlete is unable to participate or train for 90 days even on account of injury. "I can't understand all the commercial issues. Wasn't the Trust just meant to help?" says Rahul Tandon.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}