CHANDIGARH: While our sportspersons face criticism and ridicule for not making the podium, the problem seems to lie elsewhere. Our policymakers, who are reluctant to send physios and coaches with players, don’t think twice when it comes to politicians and bureaucrats travelling as spectators!
A day after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) threatened to cancel the accreditation of union sports minister Vijay Goel over the “aggressive and rude” behaviour of unaccredited persons accompanying him trying to enter restricted areas, Haryana sports minister Anil Vij is taking a nine-member team to Rio.
Vij confirmed this through a tweet, saying the delegation will encourage players from Haryana. What he didn’t mention is that the junket will cost `1 crore to the state exchequer. Except for joint director, sports, OP Sharma, who is a former national hockey player, nobody in the delegation has any expertise in sports.
The minister and his entourage will travel at a time when sports nurseries across the state are awaiting stipends for trainees for the last seven months.
On July 22, HT had reported on the Vij-led junket to Rio. The next day the government cancelled the trip, giving the explanation that the dates clashed with the Assembly session starting on August 19. Later, the BJP-led government postponed the Assembly session to August 26, apparently to keep the minister and his entourage’s Olympic dream alive.
{{/usCountry}}On July 22, HT had reported on the Vij-led junket to Rio. The next day the government cancelled the trip, giving the explanation that the dates clashed with the Assembly session starting on August 19. Later, the BJP-led government postponed the Assembly session to August 26, apparently to keep the minister and his entourage’s Olympic dream alive.
{{/usCountry}}The delegation will leave for Rio early on Sunday. The team comprises two BJP MLAs and the media advisor to the chief minister. Vij is taking his private secretary and the private secretary to additional chief secretary (ACS) (sports) KK Khandelwal.
Of the nine, four —Vij, MLAs Randhir Singh Kapriwas, Gyanchand Gupta and Khandelwal — will be flying business class, while the rest will be in economy class. The sports department has also spent Rs 8.1 lakh on tickets for the Olympic closing ceremony. Each ticket costs Rs 90,000.
Haryana has contributed the maximum number of players among all states to the Indian contingent (20 out of 118).