Indian basketball
is trying to dribble past the numerous hurdles. Most of it is, self
imposed.
The players are
in the background, watching the tussle, while the officials, not
exactly known for their dribbling skills, are attempting to assert
their authority and efficiency.
There are two
teams, and only one is following the rules. The other is driving
towards anarchy. Imagine an F1 race in which one driver forgets the
rules and goes berserk !
The pity is,
authorities supposed to impose the rules, have forgotten the rule
book. The Indian Olympic Association is a classic example. For it,
there is only one team. It did not bother to send an observer for the
meeting of one of the factions. It did not waste much time in
recognising the other group.
The IOA does
precious little for Indian sports, except complicating matters as it
has done in a variety of sports disciplines over the years.
The Union Sports
Ministry which keeps bringing up the Sports Code, as if it is the
bible for Indian sports, does not even bother to refer it, when it
becomes inconvenient to do so.
The latest
communication from the Sports Ministry to the two factions of Indian
basketball, one legal and another illegal, is a classic example of
how the whims of fancies of the Union Sports Minister, can dictate
the administration of Indian sports.
We pinpoint the
Sports Minister because the communication from the Under Secretary to
the Government of India, makes it very clear that ''this issues with
the approval of Hon'ble MOS(I/C) YA&S''.
The bottom line
is, ''the Ministry is not in a position to give recognition to either
faction at this stage''.
Maybe, the Sports
Ministry is waiting for a more suitable time, when the matter could
become more complicated.
The Ministry
quotes the IOA recognition for one faction, and the FIBA approval for
the other faction. The biggest question doing the basketball circles
in the country is, why is that the Sports Ministry which had sent its
observers to both the meetings, in Bengaluru and Pune, is not able to
take a decision. Also, why is it that it does not refer to the order
of the Delhi High Court which allowed the faction elected in
Bengaluru to go ahead and function as the BFI.
Fortunately or
unfortunately, everyone knows the answer. The hands of the Sports
Minister are tied. He is not able to take a decision against a fellow
Member of Parliament, Poonam Mahajan of Maharashtra, who has declared
herself as the President of the BFI. With the former Chief Executive
Officer (CEO) of BFI, Roopam Sharma calling the meeting and holding
an election for which she had no legal authority, one faction is
actually walking on thin ice. It is a matter of time before it sinks.
However, it wants
to put up a face saving exercise with suitable support from the IOA
and the Sports Minister.
There is
something called the Constitution. If we don't respect that, there
will be anarchy. The faction led by Poonam and Roopam, has utter
contempt for the Constitution of BFI, as well as the directions of
FIBA.
Thus, despite
categorically being told as to which was the legal BFI by the FIBA
which runs basketball world wide, the faction has continued to claim
affiliation to FIBA, FIBA-Asia etc. This despite being warned for
earlier illegal actions.
Now, why does the
government want both the factions not to act ! It is because, FIBA
has asked the BFI to conduct the SABA championship, basically
featuring the SAARC countries. The BFI chose to hold it in Bengaluru
from July 3 to 5. The originally selected players have been called
and the trials would be held to select the team.
As per the advise
of FIBA, BFI has looked at all the units, without any discrimination
in terms of choosing its panel of selectors, officials etc. However,
the leadership of the illegal faction has not been able to digest the
turn of events. So, as a last ditch attempt to skittle the event, and
thus the process of recovery, it forced the Sports Minister to issue
a letter.
''Both factions
are advised not to hold any official event in India, and not to use
the logo of this Ministry or Sports Authority of India until office
bearers of BFI are recognised by the Government'', the letter says.
Can the factions
hold official events abroad ?! Is the BFI recognised, and only its
office bearers are not recognised ? Of course, the Sports Ministry
has no authority on the subject. That is why it is only advising. It
has every right to tell the factions not to use the logo of the
Ministry or SAI.
It may be a
subtle hint, not to antagonise the Sports Ministry, but there may
also be an attempt to stop the units that have BJP government, from
fielding their players.
What a shame ! The officials are
there to ensure the welfare of the players, not to spoil their
career. But rarely do officials care for sports persons in India.
Why blame them ?! Do the players care
for themselves, as a community? Together they will be a force that
can run the sport, in a healthy way. But, there is rarely any unity
among sports persons in India. That is how the officials are able to
get away with their autocratic and mostly illegal ways.
It is a sad turn of events at a time
when Indian basketball was trying to stand firm on its feet with
sponsorship support to the tune of about 10 crore rupees every year,
from IMG-Reliance. When novices, with little interest about the
welfare of the players, take the law in their hands, and are
supported by the government, you can only expect chaos.
For most of us who rejoiced at
Olympic silver medallist Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore getting elected
as a Member of Parliament and then being sworn in as the Union
Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, it is a stark
realisation that in Indian sports, things only go from bad to worse,
no matter who rules !
The reality is that Sports Ministry
backs those power-hungry people, who have no legal foundation, and
shows scant respect for the Sports Code. It is a pity.
