'Clique feuds will not hurt sportspersons' - Sports Minister Mandavya

 Sports Minister Mansukh Mandavya has come out in the open on the prevailing clique feuds, nepotism and administrative disorder in the nation's sports department. Speaking to the National Sports Federations (NSFs), he sent out a clear signal - "No deviation against the interests of the players will be tolerated."

40 federations were represented at the inauguration of a digital platform for preservation and authentication of certificates of players on DigiLocker. There, the Sports Minister insisted in firm words, "I do not want to encroach into the domain of the federations, but that does not imply that you will move away from the player-first approach. This won't work."

In recent times, internal bickering and chaos in the boxing, football, wrestling and equestrian federations have prompted international organizations and courts to intervene.  An ad-hoc committee is at present engaged in the boxing federation, and court cases in connection with the football and equestrian federations are pending too.  The ministry's suspension of the wrestling federation was just revoked.In this regard, Mandavya also stated, "The players are the ones who are most affected by factional politics. This has to stop. Federations need to work with the mindset of serving the players."

But he not only criticized, but also promised cooperation. He declared, "We are willing to give the required infrastructure and money. Even office space will be made available in the capital. 18 rooms are already available in the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium. You can take them if you apply."

Grabbing nepotism single-handedly, the Sports Minister stated, "Sports administration is not done in a family system. A bureaucrat has appointed his own peon as the secretary. This cannot go on."

Mandavya also urged cooperation on the global platform to fulfill the mission of hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games and 2036 Olympics in India.  As he put it, "We have to present a united face on the world stage. We will not permit any deficiencies in our efforts to host these two mega events in India."

Following this statement, most federation delegates, though not speaking a word, conveyed their unease in a subtle feeling. The Sports Minister, though, clarified that the government is obviously backing the players this time.