Former sports-persons & the apathy of “Rule Book” of the government

July 3: Sunita Rani, who hails from Haryana’s Sisar Khas village of Rohtak district, has won numerous national and international medals in strength-lifting but presently works as domestic help in the village to earn her livelihood after she didn’t get any help or financial support from the government. This is not an isolated incident. Thanks to social media, as similar incidents of miserable plight of sportsperson are often reported where the apathy of the government in treating them are reflected.

Dilraj Kaur (34), who came to be recognised as first international level para shooters in the 15 years since she started out in the sport in 2005, is dealing with financial hardships. “I started para shooting in 2004 and have so far won 28 gold, 8 silver, and 3 bronze medals on the national level and have played some international games also,” said Kaur. Dilraj, 34, now sells biscuits and chips along with her mother from a roadside stall near Gandhi Park in Dehradun to make her ends meet. Adding that her father and brother have passed away, Kaur said, “I’ve repeatedly requested government officials to give me job as per my qualification in academics and sports but to no avail.”

When a television channel contacted Union Minister for Sports Kiren Rijiju and informed him about the plight of Sunita Rani, he said that strength lifting has not been recognised as an Asian or Olympic sport, which is the reason why the government does not provide any financial help. Rijiju said that for him, every sport is important but they have to work according to the rule book. Although, the Union Sports Minister said sports is a state subject, therefore, it can also help Sunita in every best way possible. He, however, said that he would like to help Sunita in her case even though her sport is not an Asian or Olympic recognise game.

Also Read: Poverty compels 28 gold medal winner Indian para shooter to sell chips on footpath

Rijiju said, “Under PM Modi’s leadership, any sportsperson who had played for India in Asian games, Olympic or any international event, irrespective of whether they have won any medal or not, the government is giving financial support to them.” Taking to his twitter handle, Union Minister for Sports Kiren Rijiju wrote, “Any Sportspersons who have won medals in National level Games or have participated in international sports events, and living indigent life or living under financial distress can approach the Ministry for financial assistance.”

Any Sportspersons who have won medals in National level Games or have participated in international sports events, and living indigent life or living under financial distress can approach the Ministry for financial assistance. Details about the scheme at https://t.co/MrBcOGposM https://t.co/tVbKtjL5ec

— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 22, 2019

Many former sportsperson have aired the view that after playing for decades when a player at the fag end of his/her life have to work as a labour or a domestic help to earn one’s livelihood, it is indeed very disheartening.

Bijendra Prasad Singh, veteran cricketer and sports organiser aired the opinion that this is indeed a thought provoking issue. He said, “Silchar DSA was established in 1967. But since 2020, specific way of helping such players in distressed started over here. We have made a players welfare fund and fixed an amount of Rs 10 lakh in the bank. We collected the money from donation coupon. Apart from this, many political and non-political donations were also used for this purpose. Recently, we have given monetary help to many in need.”

Bijendra Prasad Singh said, “There should not be ideally any division among sports. All players, irrespective of the sporting event they are involved should be provided help by the government.” However, as regards the statement of Kiren Jijiju, he said that if there is such provisions in the government rule book, then it may be  technically difficulty to help from the state exchequer. But he was quick to add that, it is wise not to make any distinction between sporting events.

A few days ago, reports came in media about a state level cricket player Raju Das from Silchar in Assam who now works as a LPG cylinder delivery boy. The sports career of this stylish batsman was cut short when he received a severe shoulder injury during a friendly match in Guwahati in 2017. Though initially he received financial help from certain quarters for treatment, but doctors advised him surgery which would require Rs 2 lakh. Given his financial condition, Rs 2 lakh seems to be a distant dream. In similar incidents many such sports-persons were compelled to cut short their career due to injuries. When billions are spent for cricket in our country, it is indeed painful to find that a cricketer is struggling to manage only Rs 2 lakh for an operation.

Also Read: বাড়ি বাড়ি গ্যাস সরবরাহ করছেন রাজ্য দলের ক্রিকেটার রাজু দাস!

Indeed, strange are our rules and our system! If the “Rule Book” as said by Union Minister Kiren Jijiju only specifies that financial assistance can be provided to participants of Asian or Olymic games, then such rules require immediate amendment to enlarge its ambit so that the government can stand besides the players of its country at times of distress. The miserable plight of many former players would definitely demoralise our youths who wish to pursue sports as a career. The sooner the “Rule Book” is amended, the better it will be for the future of our games and sports.