CPI(M) demands delinking sports bodies from poltical patronage

Failure in sports is not fault of athletes but a pernicious grip of a political-bureaucratic nepotism over the sports, said Prakash Karat

Attributing failure of Indian athletes at Rio Olympics to "pernicious" grip of political nepotism over sports bodies and poor infrastructure, CPI(M) on Thursday demanded de-linking the bodies from political patronage even as it pitched for comprehensive sports policy.

"The failure to excel in sports is not fault of individual athletes but a product of poor sports infrastructure, lack of public funding for sports and the pernicious grip of a political-bureaucratic nepotism over the sports federations," ex-CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat has said.

Karat also stated, "The sports federations must be overhauled and de-linked from political patronage. They should become democratic bodies in which sports people have a major say. A comprehensive sports policy which views sports as part of all round development of youth and welfare of society has to be put in place."

In the editorial of forthcoming issue of party mouthpiece 'People's Democracy', Karat noted badminton player P V Sindhu, wrestler Sakshi Malik and artistic gymnast Deepa Karmakar could succeed because of their "personal endeavour and hard work" overcoming various odds.

Archer Dipika Kumari, daughter of a rickshaw puller, and steeplechase sprinter Lalita Babar, who belongs to a poor peasant family, too made it to the Olympics by overcoming poverty and alleged lack of support through "sheer grit and determination", he said.

"The dismal state of sports in India is summed up in the lack of sport facilities - poor stadiums, lack of gymnasiums and swimming pools. This is compounded by poor state funding - of meagre scholarships and incentives for young students to take sports activities seriously," he said.

Referring to state governments showering "crores of rupees" and other gifts on Sindhu and Sakshi, Karat stressed such individual rewards don't address basic problems.

Rather, he said, it would be better if state governments and Central government embark on a plan to build sports infrastructure on a large scale and provide adequate funds for the training and upkeep of the young sports talent.

The Marxist leader also suggested giving up "lopsided" emphasis on cricket and corporate sponsorship for it over all other sports.