Friday, August 3, 2012

Policy-SPORTS: BILL IN PARLIAMENT

The Sports bill proposed by Ajay Maken has the right idea when it comes to demanding greater accountability from sports bodies. But rather than encouraging intervention in bodies like BCCI, Maken should have demanded accountability from the ministry itself. 

Ajay Maken has made it clear that his new draft of the bill may have alterations, but the RTI provision will be unchanged. Under this set up, it is apparent that the problems of BCCI and IOA will be unresolved. To the extent that it demands more transparency from sports federations, the bill is in the right spirit. The same is also true with respect to the attempt to include relevant sportspeople who are genuinely passionate about the sport on boards, since they can be expected to do great work. Greater intervention of bureaucracy in sports, however, is an undesirable end that negates the positive outcomes that the bill seeks to achieve. After all, what difference can governance by the Centre as opposed to governance by federation members make? Our government’s track record in transparency and efficiency isn’t exactly a world beating one, is it?

Sports federations across the world including the English Premier League, America’s Major League Baseball and National Football League enjoy the support of their respective governments and are favoured for autonomy. Contrary to popular global culture, the move by Ajay Maken seems – on the face of it – a “well tried but not well done” attempt. Maken could well have gotten more bouquets than brickbats had be brought out a bill placing accountability on his own ministry. For whatever it’s worth, a minister like Kapil Sibal, when he took over the HRD Ministry, brought out a time bound 100 days action plan including key performance/result areas – and once the 100 days were over, he ensured that the ministry was held accountable for the deliverables. Forget a 100 days plan, would Maken have the courage to bring out a 1000 days’ plan where he promises that at least 100 of our sportsmen will win gold medals annually at international sports tournaments? What did you say – it sounds unbelievable, does it? Well, there it is – people in glass houses should not throw stones. Do unto yourself, what you wish to do to others... Our tank of limericks is overflowing – more than the sports ministry’s list of achievements in the last fifty years. So let sleeping dogs lie Mr. Maken; let’s put in order those you can – and those already under your own control.



 
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