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The performance of administrative officials will also be closely monitored, in addition to that of athletes, during Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games.
Athletics Representational Image. (Agencies)
India’s sports administrators have been cautioned that any official treating multi-sport events as paid holidays will be recalled midway, to ensure athletes are not affected by their lax attitude.
As the country prepares for the upcoming Commonwealth Games slated to be held betweenJuly-August in Glasgow and the Asian Games, scheduled for September-October in Aichi-Nagoya, officials will form a significant portion of the contingents that are to be finalised. It has emerged that, alongside athletes, the performance of officials will also be closely monitored during these two events.
“The Ministry has made it clear that there will be no hesitation in recalling those who fail to support athletes and are found holidaying. Anyone roaming around without a clear role will be immediately withdrawn from now on,” a senior National Sports Federation (NSF) said on condition of anonymity.
“The ministry believes every accreditation is valuable and should only be given to those who can contribute to improving an athlete’s performance,” he added.
India’s sports administrators have frequently been criticised for being unavailable to athletes during major events, even though they make up a substantial part of the contingents at these showpieces. During multi-sport competitions, officials are expected to handle logistics, training schedules and other administrative responsibilities.
India’s CWG contingent will be significantly smaller this time because of a reduced programme that includes only 10 disciplines. In contrast, the Asian Games will feature 41 disciplines, and more than 700 members are expected to be part of the travelling contingent.
The warning to officials follows remarks by Sports Secretary Hari Ranjan Rao at a conclave in Ahmedabad in January, where he told NSF representatives that treating multi-sport events as “family outings” would not be tolerated.
“Please don’t go if you see this as an outing with relatives. We don’t need you,” Rao had said firmly.
Reinforcing an existing policy, the ministry has again instructed NSFs to ensure that selection trials for major events are videographed, in order to maintain transparency and reassure athletes. This policy has been in force for over a year.
“If any selection-related complaint reaches the ministry, the only question asked will be whether the trial was videographed. If it was not, that trial will be deemed invalid,” another senior source said.
“The policy already exists and NSFs have been reminded to implement it fully. Athletes should not feel victimised.”
Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, during a review meeting with NSFs on Thursday, emphasised that they must adopt an athlete-centric approach.
(With Inputs From PTI)
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