At
Chepauk, there used to be Pongal Tests and similarly, at Melbourne, - the
Boxing day tests. Boxing Day has nothing
to do with ‘ ring fighting’ but is a
holiday traditionally celebrated the day following Christmas Day, when servants
and tradesmen would receive gifts. Somebody,
need to tell that garbage box too has nothing to do with the sport of boxing
and its champs !!!
In our school days,
more than a couple of decades ago, not many schools encouraged
sports activities [very few parents did !] – though people would talk highly of
sportspersons, the virtues of becoming one including the quota in educational
institutions and more importantly in coveted jobs in Public Sector.
Sometimes, we do
read of stories of the plight of sportspersons too…..in Dec 2011 – came the sad
story of footballers from a club known as Anand XI FC who had been crowned champions of Indore Football League
only a couple of days earlier. 15 footballers
of Anand XI FC were reportedly part of the cleaning force employed for cleaning the seats of 30,000 capacity Holkar
Cricket Stadium for ODI between India and West Indies. The likes of Manoj Khare, RohitGirije and
AnkitChirawande, who had represented Madhya Pradesh in various national level
football tournments, were reportedly paid Rs 3 for cleaning the seats at the
match venue.
In
cities sports academies [read Cricket coaching] have mushroomed – many mothers
dream of their children becoming Sachin Tendulkar, Dhoni, ViratKohli – if not
national representation, a couple of matches for a club in IPL, the least !!
- IPL is big fat wedding – grand,
glamorous, glittering, noisy and garish.
On field there are so many cameras (including spider cam) catching not only the game, but also movement
of players, their reactions of team and its owners, of the cheerleaders,
official tune makers and also the spectators.
Fans mostly are given flags and come in team colours. There are so many support staff, there is
player’s dug-out, gym sessions, sponsors, bat signings, media, shouting commentators
on field, interview with players and many other non-game related arrangements
of late night parties and more. This season, a rookie spinner KC
Cariappawas bought for 2.4 crore ~a
money which many accomplished Ranji cricketers would not have seen in their
lifetime.
Recently, I posted
about another spinner who represented his Nation, played 9 tests took 32
wickets and 56 in 58 One dayers driving cab in Sydney to make an earning. He is not alone – there is already another
fine bowler who played 43 tests spread over a period of 14 years, known as
naenae express – Ewen Chatfield becoming a cabbie and driving in New Zealand.
Often other
sportspersons envy Cricketers – because of the status and wealth that players
command. They get good money for playing
the game and more money for endorsing products – from health, glow, soaps,
hairoils, shoes, vehicles and just about everything; run clubs, motorsports
teams, launch their own syndicates, own clothing brands, buy bikes which are
not in the reach of most, living and enjoying the life as a star.
India Times reports
of a sad story of a national-level gold medal-winning boxer Kamal Kumar, forced
to collect garbage from door to door to make a living. It is the sordid tale of
- Kamal Kumar Valmiki, who claims to have won three district-level gold medals
in early '90s, also works as a part-time rickshaw-puller.
Life is hard for
many and indeed for Kamal Kumar, a
national level former boxer who has now turned to collecting garbage on the
streets of Kanpur. Once eyeing national glory, Kamal couldn't get any financial
support from those running the sport to continue his bid as a boxer and didn't
even land a class-4 job. Now by collecting garbage, he hopes to fulfill his
dream through two of his four kids, who are budding boxers.
In Indiatimes
Sports he is quoted as saying - "I am sad because even after playing at
national level I was not able to get a fourth class job. I am doing this job of
collecting garbage for a living, as I have a family who is dependent on me. "
I train my elder son, who is also a national level player. I was very much
passionate about boxing but got no financial support. I am sure my children
will fulfill my dream," he added.
Sadly, he is not
the only person neglected – in Apr this year, India today reported of a
National level boxer Rishu Mittal, who won the gold medal in 46kg category in
Haryana state championships and represented the state in National Games, having
to work as a maid.
Sad !
With regards – S.
Sampathkumar
8th
Sept. 2015
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