- The world knows that India, as a country, is the most populous, overtaking our neighbour China in this matrix in recent times. However, our exploits on the international sporting firmament have been nothing spectacular or noteworthy save for a few instances of individual brilliance here and there. Of course, the Union Government and the states have made conscious efforts to encourage spotting talented sportspersons at a nascent stage, provide them with a great platform to excel, and extend all possible support in terms of sponsorship/encouragement/opportunities to compete against some of the best in the world. Make no mistake, it’s still a work in progress, even as the measures initiated by the authorities will take substantial time to bear fruit.
PC: Outlook India
- While all concerned are making concerted efforts to ensure our sportspersons bring in much-needed laurels by excelling at some of the marquee sporting events in the world, concerns about how politicization has robbed the field are becoming increasingly apparent, courtesy of how these sporting bodies are run. Look at how the Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is treating renowned wrestler Vinesh Phogat. It appears the WFI is more interested in vendetta than sport. Ideally, each of India’s 60-odd sport federations should be a genuine custodian of its respective sport. But if this were so, so many athletes wouldn’t be knocking on courts’ doors, against their federations. Recently, Vinesh Phogat’s challenge to the WFI made the news. Let’s dwelve.
- Delhi HC ruled that Vinesh Phogat’s challenge to the WFI to be allowed to compete in the Asian Games 2026 selection trials was in the interest of sport and justice. What’s troubling is, why would a sports federation serve any other interest? Vinesh’s case is both unique and representative. She’s the first Indian woman wrestler to win an Asian Games gold, she’s also got three Commonwealth Games golds, and she’s competed in three Olympics. But her most gruelling contest has been off the mat. When she joined the 2023 wrestlers’ protest, accusing a BJP MP of sexual harassment, a powerful federation chief, and running WFI out of his home. While that case is still in court, his parliamentary seat has passed on to his son, and his close associate heads the federation.
PC: ABP Live – ABP News
- After a brief parting, the WFI office reportedly returned to his home. Unbelievable. So, Vinesh’s fight biography is singular, but her subjugation isn’t. The mala fide vindictiveness Delhi HC found in WFI’s actions against her can’t be separated from her complaint of sexual harassment. The show-cause notice that weaponized her motherhood against her also fits a familiar pattern – federations hiding arbitrary decisions behind opaque criteria. But the most nakedly mala fide detail was this: WFI described her Paris disqualification as a national embarrassment. This was the first Indian woman wrestler to fight her way to an Olympic final, where she was gut-wrenchingly found 100g over the weight limit. Let’s encourage/support rather than vilify sportspersons.
