The Great Olympic Dream being sold by sports minister Kiren Rijiju at every possible forum may have a few takers, but those seriously connected with the sport know this is glib talk.
To be projecting India as a sporting nation capable of finishing in the Top 10 at the 2028 Olympics is not rhetoric but hogwash. In all these years, India has won just one individual Olympic gold medal, courtesy Abhinav Bindra at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
So, to think of medals multiplying in eight year has now become a joke. If you thought National Sports Federations, which are now on the back-foot because of the de-recognition are keeping quiet, it is not true.
Most may not want to come out in the open and be critical, but at least one head, K.Govindaraj, president of the Basketball Federation of India, also vice president of the Indian Olympic Association, has slammed the sports minister.
In a letter written to Kiren Rijiju on August 29, National Sports Day, Govindaraj begins by complimenting the minister. He also thanks the minister for having given one Arjuna Award to a basketball player, Vishesh Briguvanshi.
However, after that, the letter reads like a tirade. Govindaraj points out how the e-conclave of the basketball players association, which was attended by Rijiju recently, is not recognised by the BFI or the world body (FIBA).
“On the directions of the FIBA we formed the players’ association, which is headed by Hanuman Singh, Arjuna Awardee,” wrote Govindaraj, reminding the sports minister how the event he attended was not the best one.
“It is great to nurture the dream of seeing India finish among the top 10 in the 2028 Olympics. It is also wonderful a start has been made in identifying talent that can succeed in 2028. But to sell this dream to the so-called basketball players’ association when there are only a few basketball players on the Khelo India scholarship scheme is a cruel joke,” writes Govindaraj.
The BFI president agrees with Rijiju that the sports culture needs a thrust in India. “However, it is unfortunate you seem to have suggested that the contribution made by the players, past and present, has been forgotten,” adds the letter.
The BFI head mentions how former international basketball players serve the sport in different capacities, selflessly. “The BFI has a players’ commission to make key decisions. It is now pertinent to mention the BFI has another commission to make a short list of needy players who need financial help because of COVID-19,” writes Govindaraj.
His grouse, like many other NSFs, is the sports ministry has done nothing for needy players who have been hit hard by COVID-19. Govindaraj also slams Rijiju for taking about the sports ministry and the SAI forming around five regional committees to scout talent. “Worse, you have said the basketball players association, which has no locus standi, be part of that effort (talent scouting),” adds the letter.
Govindaraj minces no words when he talks of identifying talent being the job of respective NSFs, through their associations in state and union territories, where former players keep eyes open at the grassroot level.
The thoughts shared by the BFI president may be food for thought for many other NSF heads. As a parting shot, Govindaraj mentions how the e-conclave which Kiren Rijiju attended had no representative from the BFI, but the kho-kho federation president was marking his attendance.
