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Amateur theme, professional status; it’s just not on
International embarrassment might be on the cards for India, at this November's Asian Games, if the Games' organisers decide to strictly implement the rules of the game, reports Robin Bose.
International embarrassment might be on the cards for India, at this November's Asian Games, if the Games' organisers decide to strictly implement the rules of the game. In this edition of the Games, like in the last, competitors in golf are required to be amateurs. But the India squad for this year's Games in Guangzhou (China) contains names of players guilty of violating their status as amateurs.
The men's team of Rashid Khan, Abhijit Chadha, Rahul Bajaj and Abhinav Lohan are employed by public sector oil companies (Indian Oil, Oil India, Bharat Petroluem and Oil And Natural Gas Commission) “under the sports quota for their skills of the game”, which is in direct conflict with the Indian Golf Union's (IGU) advisory on the R&A's (Royal and Ancient Club of St Andrews) amateur status rules.
The Asian Games' Technical Book 2010 too clearly states in its Entry Policies (Individual), “Only amateur athletes are eligible to participate in the golf competition”.
While the players are at fault, a major share of the blame has to rest with the IGU on why it has chosen to look the other way as at least two generations of players have enjoyed privileges and got away.
A member of the Guangzhou-bound squad confirmed to the Hindustan Times that he “received a scholarship”, that covered his expenses on air tickets, food and lodging during tournaments.
A senior official of the Petroleum Sports Promotion Board (PSPB) buttressed the fact. “Wherever the expenses incurred on participation (national and international) are not borne by the government or the national sport federation (IGU in this case), the expenses are borne by the oil company and PSPB on a 35:65% ratio.”
It is pertinent to mention that as per a recent policy of the PSPB, “Exceptionally talented juniors (school level) are offered scholarships ranging from Rs 12,000 to 15,000 per month. At the senior level, golfers are offered two-year contracts ranging from Rs 20,000 to 25,000 per month. “Players (between 19-24 years) who have done exceptionally well at the national or international level are offered direct employment, either at the management or non-management cadre, depending on their educational qualifications.”
Players are, also, “on a case-to-case basis, considered for training abroad” and the cost of kits is borne by the oil firms.
Jaydeep Chitlangia, the IGU selection committee chief, did not respond to calls or SMSes.
