No medal shining

India’s sportspersons lack infrastructure, training facilities, corporate sponsorships and media support

Akash Bisht Delhi

Venue: Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi. Time: 6:15 pm, Sunday. Twenty-year-old Vellu, member of the national pole vault team, struts, jogs and races down before leaping into the air to cross the bar lifted to the height 4.05 metres. The result is the same as in his previous four attempts. He fails to cross it. The outcome is the same for his team mates. While the world record for the pole vault stands at 6.14 metres, these boys find it difficult to cross even 4 metres. When enquired why he is unable to cross the barrier Vellu has a tale of woes. “Do you expect me to leap 10 metres with these decade-old vaulting poles? And what is the point in grumbling about them when we do not even have proper drinking water in the stadium.”

This scene in India’s premium sports stadium is replayed across the country. The story is predictable and explains India’s world status in sports: lack of infrastructure, proper training processes, competent sports officials, world class coaches, corporate sponsorships and media exposure.

“The most infuriating question that is very often asked by us in international events is why a country with a population of 1 billion is not able to win medals at international events?" informs Sriram, head coach, track-and-field events. The athletes who gather for practice every afternoon are certain that India is not in the running for medals for many years to come. Limbaram, member of the national archery team, pointed to the lack of drinking water and adequate nutrients and supplements. Echoing this complaint was Dheeraj Dagar, national weightlifter, “We are endowed with supplements only before any major sporting event while for rest of the year we are left to fend for ourselves.” Not all can afford the supplements. Sports Authority of India (SAI) was sending sports persons to international forums only to cut a sorry figure.

“There is no drinking water in the stadium and no one cares about it. We have told the coaches and officers but no one seems to help us. We fight for water every day, forget about nutrition and supplements that should be provided to athletes to enhance their stamina,” complains Limbaram. The girls’ judo team was equally sure of not bagging any medals. They complained of the lack of changing rooms and lockers. They do not have a coach and their scholarship money is a year overdue, according to Sneha Tadiyal.

The archery team pointed to outdated equipments, lack of international exposure and recognition. Satyadev Prasad said, “Quality can only get better if we have more quantity. Government should encourage more youth to join sports.” Jatyant Talukdar, who won the World Archery championship recently, was completely blanked out by the media and his accomplishment did not feature anywhere. “It hurts a player when he is not noticed by the media while his counterparts in other sports (cricket, shooting) are getting publicity for silly reasons,” grumbles Prasad.

Nehru Stadium is in disrepair. The gym contains only broken equipment. The men’s toilet in the stadium complex was locked, while others did not appear to have been cleaned for weeks. The contrast with facilities offered to international cricket players is sharp. “How can you expect babus and bureaucrats to understand what sport is. I am sure no official in SAI would have ever participated in any kind of sport,” rues a coach.