UNSPORTING DUEL

The Sports Act-2005 has pitted the State Government against the sports associations, leaving players in the lurch.

IT IS perhaps the worst of times for sports and sportspersons in Uttar Pradesh. An ego clash over the Sports Act-2005 has brought things to such a pass that it appears neither the State Government, nor the State Sports Associations want sports activities to take place, leaving lakhs of sportspersons in the lurch.

The government wants the associations to blink first and implement the controversial Sports Act-2005. But the associations want the government to scrap the Act.

The situation has become more complicated with involvement of top Indian Olympic Association officials who feel the provisions of the Act are a violation of the Olympic Charter.

In the meantime, the State Government has reportedly stopped all support, like team kits, camps, train fare etc to the associations. The worst affected are the medal winners at the State and the national level, whose cash awards have also been stopped.

Only time will tell who emerges ‘victorious’ in the battle for supremacy. But, as of now, the fate of sportspersons hangs in the balance.

The lone survivor is the gentlemen’s game. Ironically, the Sports Act was the brainchild of a political heavyweight who wanted to clip the wings of cricket mandarins. Taking a cue from the Rajasthan Government, the State Government decided to introduce a Sports Ordinance on the pretext of raising standards in the State in 2004.

The move targeted the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s State body. A ruling party MP in the State wanted to take the reins of the UP Cricket Association before making a grand entry into the BCCI.

But, before he could succeed, the UP Cricket Association converted itself into a private limited company on the patterns of the CCI Mumbai and the Delhi District Cricket Association. Thus, it managed to  escape from the clutches of the politician.

Sources said there was strong opposition to the Act within the government. But once it was approved by the State Cabinet, it became mandatory for the government as well as the associations in 2005.

“I was forced to prepare the provisions of this Act in such a manner that it should affect cricket most as ‘burra sahib aisa hi chate the’ (big bosses wanted it like this),” said a senior bureaucrat, who was instrumental in finalising the clauses of this Act, on condition of anonymity.

“Even though I tried to convince some other politicians about the adverse impact of the Act, they were helpless before this leader,” he added.

Most of the politicians in the State Assembly aren’t aware about the pros and cons of the Act.

“Don’t quote me officially. I am not aware of the implications of this Act. In my opinion, any Act of the State Government should always be for the benefit of the society, instead of an individual,” said a sitting MLA.

A BJP MLA said the current tussle was  an example of political apathy towards welfare of sports and sportspersons.

“It is Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav’s  responsibility to end this stalemate,” he suggested.

Though the Sports Act allows the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate to curb the ‘freedom’ of the associations, it would be unfair to say that the provisions of the Act are against sports bodies in toto.

Almost all associations have become a means to generate  daily ‘bread, butter and liquor’ for some. Many provisions of this Act seek to put an end to such malpractices.

But, other provisions of the Act, like six months’ imprisonment for the guilty association bosses, and forcible takeover of the associations by the State Government are highly objectionable.

It is true that the UP Sports Directorate give support (kits, funds, diet, travel expenses, venue) to the sports associations/federations, but the latter ‘don’t bother’ to remain answerable to the State Government. Many of the associations which do not even have district units, or conduct proper activities throughout the State have ‘pulled strings’ to garner huge financial support even for small events.

“Why such a hue and cry over the Act? When they (the associations) get everything from the government, they must be responsible to us also,” said Sports and Youth Welfare Minister RK Chaudhury.

“The Act can’t be withdrawn, but amendments to some provisions are possible. I have already told the IOA and UP Olympic Association to give their objections in writing. Then, we will consider the amendments, if any,” added the minister.

“The Act does not intend to demoralise the associations, but aims to encourage them to raise the standard of sports.”

‘Withdraw the Act, then we’ll talk’

THE INDIAN Olympic Association has almost ruled out any negotiations with the State Government on the Sports Act-2005. The IOA feels that instead of discussing amendments, the State Government should withdraw the Sports Act in toto immediately.

IOA’s vice-president Sardar Mohd Aslam Khan, who also happens to be the chief of the defunct Uttar Pradesh Olympic Association, told Hindustan Times the IOA was open to a dialogue with the State Government, but not before the withdrawal of the Sports Act.

“There is no question of any amendment, as the Act starts with words like registration and regulations, which compel the UPOA, or any sports associations to change their constitution. This isn’t possible as we abide by the rules of the International Olympic Committee,” he said.

“We are ready to give support to the State Government for the overall development of sports and sportspersons. We have got a perfect system for this. But we can’t compromise on our autonomy,” he further said, asking, “Why is the government poking its nose in our affairs?”

“Even the IOA doesn’t interfere with the activities of the national and state sports federations. We have strict guidelines for every one and they follow it. So there is no difference of opinion.”

Khan accepted that as per the prevailing provisions of the Sports Act, the existence of the UPOA has come to an end. He also said the UPOA and the IOA would not let the future of sportspersons be jeopardised.  “We are for sports and the sportspersons, and we will do everything necessary to give them an opportunity to participate in state, national and international events.”

“What is the need of the Sports Act when the government already has a system to stop financial support to any sports associations?” he asked. “I also agree with the government’s view that whosoever takes financial support from it should be answerable to it.”

He, however, claimed that the process to convert the UPOA into a private limited company on the patterns of UPCA had already begun on a war footing.

“Our legal advisor RK Anand is already working on it and very soon we will have an independent UPOA in the State to run the show.” To a question, Aslam said the time had come for small sports associations to make efforts to get sponsorship for events. “It’s a professional world now and every association should get funds on their own. They should not bend before the State Government for money. The IOA will also support them in raising funds to run the show,” he added.