While offering a comprehensive support through ‘Target Olympic Podium Scheme’ (TOPS), the Union Sports Ministry has attempted to monopolise and market the elite athletes in a carefully worded contract that may be counter-productive to their pursuit of Olympicdreams.
Over the years, the government has been generously funding the athletes, through its National Sports Development Fund (NSDF), and other agencies like the Mittal Champions Trust, Olympic Gold Quest and Anglian Medal Hunt used to supplement the support. The new ‘terms and conditions’ seek to block the external support of the athletes.
“In acknowledgement of the costs and expenses to be incurred by the NSDF in providing the grant to the athlete, the athlete will not, during the term, directly or indirectly avail of, agree, solicit, assist in, receive, seek or enter into agreements, contracts or arrangements with any other entity, organisation or person, for any funding which is the same as or similar in nature to the grant, without the prior written consent of the NSDF, which may be reasonably withheld,” says the government contract.
Of course, the athletes would be free to accept any reward for their exemplary performances at the national or international level, from anyone.
To be informedIt is also categorically stated that any additional support, technical, training or monetary support has to be brought to the attention of the government authorities who would have “the right of first refusal” regarding such additional support. The government will take 15 days to decide on the subject, and the athlete would be allowed to get the external support in case the government decides not to offer similar support.
In such a scenario, it will be difficult for the external agencies to provide prompt support which has been their strong point, be it medical, technical or mind training.
It was the Mittal Champions Trust that treated wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt in South Africa, years before he emerged as a medal prospect in the London Olympics. The Mittal scheme may not exist anymore, but other agencies like Jindal Sports Foundation, which has earmarked funds for Olympic athletes, should have the freedom to offer specialised support for the athletes at home and abroad.
The contract does not allow any arrangement of medical treatment, “except in the case of an emergency”, without prior intimation to the medical committee, with the promise that it “would not be unreasonably withheld’’.
Promotional activitiesThe government has also sought to promote the athletes, asking them to be available for seven days in a year to be part of “publicity campaigns, photo shoots, media presentations, fund raisings, meet and greet sessions” etc., without offering any additional incentive for the exercise.
The athletes would also be required to prominently wear ‘TOPS’ clothing and accessories during training and public relation events, apart from acknowledging the support of the NSDF in ‘interviews, on social media, at press conferences...’’ Also, not make any “disparaging comments.”
The government would have the power to suspend or terminate the grant with immediate effect without any prior notice, for a variety ofreasons. One such reason is, “if the athlete is suspended or banned” by the national or international federations governing the sport.
This clause may prevent boxer Sarita Devi from getting government support if she wants to compete in the Rio Olympics, even though the government was supporting her case following unpleasant developments in the Asian Games in Incheon.
Refund unutilised fundsAlso, if the athlete fails to qualify for the Rio Olympics, the support will cease after the last chance. On termination of the grant, the athlete may have to refund the unutilised funds promptly. However, if the athlete wants to get out of the contract with the government, he or she has to give a 30-day notice and refund “the entire grant amount that has been received.”
On one hand, the sports ministry has been seeking corporate support, but has tried to discourage the external support through tricky clauses. There may be instances of agencies having gained enormous publicity, doing precious little for the athletes, but it will be unhealthy to drive the supporters away.
At the moment, the Olympic scheme of the government is focused in athletics, archery, badminton, boxing, shooting, weightlifting andwrestling. It will be interesting to see how well the elite athletes and the agencies committed to supporting them, respond to the challenging scenario, within the common goal of winning more Olympic medals in Rio in 2016.
