Represent India to avail of grants: Sports ministry

In a bid to crack the whip on players who shied away from the 2014 Asian Games, the sports ministry Wednesday said players can avail of government grants only if they attend to call-up for national duty.

Top Indian tennis players Leander Paes, Somdev Devvarman and Rohan Bopanna opted out of the Incheon Games to focus on their individual professional careers, leaving the All Indian Tennis Association (AITA) with no option but to to send a second-string team to the continental event.

Sania Mirza too initially decided to drop out of the Asian Games, but eventually she went to play at Incheon, going on to win gold in mixed doubles and bronze in women's doubles.

The ministry issued similar instructions in this regard earlier too July 18, 2013, to all recognised National Sports Federations (NSF).

"It is again reiterated and made clear to all recognised NSFs that individual players will be able to avail grants given to them by the ministry only if they undertake to play in the Indian team when called upon to do so without reservations," said a sports ministry statement.

"If there are specific exigencies because of which they are unable to play, this should be verified by the concerned NSF, which there upon can make an exception at their discretion."

The release didn't name any player who opted out or showed reluctance to represent the country but sternly stated that athletes who do not wish to represent the country would not be considered for funding from the National Sports Development Fund (NSDF).

"It was noticed, while finalising the Indian contingent for the Incheon Asian Games, that senior and rank holding sportspersons of some sports disciplines decided to pull out, preferring to play in prize money tournaments instead of participating in the Asian Games giving the impression that such sportspersons do not take these sports competitions seriously," added the statement.

"Multi-sport events are held once in four years and the nation takes pride in the number of medals won in these prestigious sports events."