Shame! Indian sports committees left para-athlete to beg in Germany
If you’re not a cricketer playing in the national team and T20s, apathy is all that you get in India. Even from the government.
Swimmer Kanchanmala Pande, an Indian para-athlete who is completely blind, was forced to beg in Berlin, where she was participating in the Para Swimming Championships in the S11 category, after the government money sanctioned for their tour did not reach them. The Paralympic Committee of India’s (PCI) slip-up caused not only Pande, but five other athletes participating in the Para Swimming Championships, extreme misery.
Pande and her escort Jaimala Pande were part of the Berlin contingent that was granted sponsorship by the government. PCI, however, failed to provide her the money, following which she was forced to bear her hotel and food expenses. But as is a constant with government sports committees, the PCI quickly participated in a blame-game and shifted the onus to the Sports Authority of India (SAI).
“I never thought I would face such problems. I had to take a loan of Rs 5 lakh so that I could participate in the tournament. I had to qualify for the World Championships and I don't know why the PCI didn't understand its importance,” Pande told Mail Today.
“I was not given any official confirmation if I will receive a reimbursement for the expense I bore. I had to pay around Rs 70,000 for the hotel and more than Rs 40,000 for food. There was a time when I had no money left. I was simply devastated. “
All the swimmers were also asked to arrange their visas, which cost them an additional Rs 15,000 each.
Gurucharan Singh, the vice-president of PCI, blamed the SAI claiming that they had not sanctioned the amount for the tournament. Although he added that the swimmers will be refunded their money.
“We are facing problems with SAI regarding sanction of amount for championships. The money for Berlin tournament didn't come on time and as the process takes around three-four days, we weren't able to provide it to the swimmers,” said Singh.
Singh also mentioned other goof-ups by the SAI. “I am here in London for the World Athletics Championship and we are also facing a shortage of money. SAI sanctioned just £40,000 (Rs 33.16 lakh) while the organisers are asking for £80,000 (Rs 66.32 lakh). We will hold meetings with SAI officials to discuss this matter. So, a fix to all this will be done once the London meet is over. The swimmers will be given back their money. As for the coach problem, I am not aware of it. As soon as I get back to India, we will talk to the swimmers and carry out an inquiry if needed.”
While on the positive side, Pande and Suyash Jadhav managed to win silver and qualified for the World Championships, it's such a shame that Pande was forced to beg and borrow money from people in an unfamiliar city.
“Athletes, especially the disabled, are meant to be treated with respect and such incidents shouldn't be tolerated. Now that I have qualified, I want to train hard and win medals,” said Pande.
Abhinav Bindra, Indian shooter and Olympian too expressed his disgust at the goof-up, as he tweeted, “This is unacceptable. People must be held accountable.”
This is UNACCEPTABLE. People must be held accountable. @VijayGoelBJP @narendramodi https://t.co/dBIrey8TYR
— Abhinav Bindra (@Abhinav_Bindra) July 12, 2017
Even former professional Indian tennis player took to social media to talk about badly run sports committee in India.
Horrible stuff to read... Changes need to be made in the way we perceive sport and the way we run it... The current system is a shame... https://t.co/rzGVuypIam
— Somdev Devvarman (@SomdevD) July 12, 2017
Ultimately the situation did come to the notice of the minister of youth affairs and sports, Vijay Goel, who said the matter is being looked into.
I'm informed funds were released to Paralympic Committee by SAI on behalf of @YASMinistry. Trying to ascertain from PCI where problem lies. https://t.co/1jPUIEUuHw
— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) July 12, 2017
Bureaucracy and blame games will always be there, but nothing can change the sad reality and the harrowing experience that the swimmer from Nagpur had to face. It wasn’t just monetary lapses that were a problem. In her words, the whole trip was a “horror show”.
Pande was shocked to find that the PCI had registered her in the 50m Backstroke event when she had actually applied for the 100m Backstroke. A coach appointed by the PCI, Kanwaljeet Singh, to assist the para-swimmers proved not only to be of no help, but was also AWOL most of the time.
In fact, the man had the audacity to ask Pande to pay the participation fee of £90 (Rs 7,462), something that should be the responsibility of the PCI.
“He [Singh] didn't help me at all. I used to go back to the hotel just with my escort and god knows where he used to be. Once, I took a tram from the tournament venue to my hotel and I had no money. I had to travel without ticket and was caught by the checker who later fined me £120 (about Rs 10,000),” said Pande.
“Even though he paid the fee later, I had a very rough time with him. A coach should be helpful and always take care of athletes. I didn't see any of that," she added.
Despite all the troubles she faced in Germany, thanks to inept sports committees, she managed to win and bring glory to the nation. Pande is an inspiration to both her nation and her gender, and nothing - least of all mismanagement - can stop her.
“Now that I have qualified, I want to train hard and win medals. I am getting to my best and with proper guidance and training, hope to have a successful campaign in Mexico.”