Games over,funding over?

Shuttlers fear government might be reluctant to loosen purse strings post-Guangzhou.

All through 2010,funds flowed from the governments gushing taps for Indian sportsperson. But with the Commonwealth and Asian Games over,there is a nagging fear that Santa might simply throw up his hands.

Indian shuttlers felt the sting just 10 days after the Asian Games when they had to fend for themselves during the two Super Series tournament. Even Saina Nehwals trip to Hong Kong,where she won the title that saw her reach to the World No.2 spot,was funded by a non-government sports promotion organistaion Olympic Gold Quest.

Though the government has expressed its commitment to financially support sportspersons capable of going onto the Olympics,the general fear is that funding support might stop. Shuttlers and coaches alike at Mumbais Tata Open India International Challenge badminton event are wondering if their sport that has seen unprecedented growth in the last few seasons will continue to receive the same amount of attention notably in the finances. We travelled for Super Series tournament in China and Hong Kong on our own, says World No. 48 Aravind Bhat,one of the six Indians in the Top 50 of mens rankings.

I managed China because of my sponsors there,but Hong Kong was entirely on my own. And even here in Mumbai,theyve taken care of the boarding and lodging,but travel is on our own, he adds.

Bhat had voiced his concerns to the Badminton Association of India and has been assured by the president VK Verma that funding will resume in January. However,he senses that life on the circuit might not be as smooth as before. When quizzed on his worries,he says,Some of the juniors like Kashyap and Gurusai Datt are being funded by bodies like Olympic Gold Quest.

Meanwhile,seniors like Chetan Anand,me both 30 and Anup Sridhar 27 years-old,as well as Ajay Jayaram and Anand Pawar,who are around 24-25 years old,are fending for ourselves. But its not just us,its the bigger issue of good preparation for all athletes at the Olympics, he adds.

Coach Vimal Kumar reckons that the country has come to realise that badminton is a sport with big potential and days wont be as dire as during the pre-Saina Nehwal days of oblivion. Weve been told that theres no cause for concern. But it remains to be seen how things turn out as we approach the Olympics, he says.

Story continues below this ad

BAI president VK Verma,not on the steadiest of grounds with plenty happening in his BAI backyard,says that government support is always welcome. We expect that funding will be available for about 8 shuttlers in the lead-up to the Olympics and will not completely stop at the Asian Games, he says,though loosening of those purse strings will depend on whether the association can sort out its messy matters,borne out of a controversial election.