Both Pullela Gopichand and I played sports in times when there was no money in the field. So, I would like to understand the context of his statement that middle-class parents shouldn’t encourage sports as a career option. It’s a bit too harsh because things have definitely improved for sportspersons. But first, let’s address some of the points Gopichand has raised.
In the past, we at the Western Railways were flooded with applications from athletes. Now, it’s rare for women cricketers to even apply for a Railways job. The best of them have central contracts and receive match fees. When we played, we had to depend on PSUs for financial security. Railways was the only place that offered permanent jobs even after one’s playing days, unlike contractual jobs with Air India or the Tatas.
Now, I don’t think players are adequately planning for their future. Even a stellar international career is not long — from five years to 20, the latter in the rarest of cases. Will money earned during this period suffice for the rest of one’s life? It is true that our country does not have a sports mindset. When athletes win glory, they are raised up like royalty. And they are brought down and forgotten just as easily.
Some of the points made by Gopichand have resonance. Having been both a player and recruited athletes as a Sports Officer, I can say there’s truth in non-sports managers in Railways wanting a full staff, and not wanting athletes who “run away” (according to them) for half a day, for practice. That’s why we approached the Railways Board and got 330 plus days of paid leave approved for athletes to focus on training. However, after their sporting career is over, there are a few instances of athletes taking departmental exams and rising to the gazetted officer level and up to Deputy rank.
Some athletes may not want to rise above the clerical level. Perhaps because gazetted officers have transferable jobs and sometimes, they don’t want to take on the responsibility. They prefer remaining stagnant and are satisfied in the 9 to 6 job. But, be it Mithali Raj or P T Usha, hockey players, and Sanjay Bangar and Murali Karthik — they have all risen and are free to work in sport. It’s up to the individual’s ambition, but the Railways is still your safest bet.
Of course, we have to fight our battles. A majority of officers might not care about sports. The same officer who may ask you for an India vs Pakistan match pass can say refuse permission for training the next morning.
We are a jealous country, and the fact that sportspersons enter jobs at a relatively high grade, and get leaves and out-of-turn promotions, is definitely a source of aggravation. I’ve often heard “Arre tum log ko easily promotion mil jaata hai. Thoda bohot khel gaye aur afsar ban gaye.” Many don’t understand the effort we put on the field or in a gym. They think we get paid despite not coming to the office.
There will be some managers whose cabins you will not be allowed to enter, but if you perform at the job, most doors open. I could walk into my GM’s cabin anytime. Some reach the Sports Officer’s post but don’t know the ABC of administration. They can be taken for a ride and get browbeaten by seniors. There are training institutes to bring you up to speed.
We even appointed sports squads so that TCs who work only half the day, can complete their “collection targets”. Departments are supportive and I always say, “If you perform, we will fight for you.” But you have to make an effort to fit into the groove.
Having said that, the mentality of people and government in India has to change for sport. It can’t just be about the Olympics. You win a medal and get praised and flooded with money. And everything is forgotten for the next three years. Let’s respect the culture of sports.
We have a 15-20 page sports policy at the Railways, which looks at recruitment, leave policy and facilities. It is the duty of federations to enable their athletes to get jobs and provide a supportive environment in which to train. It can’t just be the responsibility of the PSUs. But federations have to play their part. The Mumbai Cricket Association ensured corporate teams linked up with cricketers. It will be tougher for other sports but federations should try and go beyond sponsorships and ensure jobs for the athletes.
Corporates need to start chipping in. Though, unlike Railways and PSUs, I don’t see them giving 300 days leave. But that’s what Railways did to support entire teams. Corporates can surely pick small batches in individual sports. If the government mandates a corporation should look after athletes in Game A, B or C, and do everything to take them to the pinnacle of medals and World Cups and look after them after their careers are over, it isn’t impossible. If you have the will, a way will be found.
The writer is a former India captain and part of the Committee of Administrators that governed BCCI from 2017-19
