On most occasions, Tanvi Lad, the World No. 91 in Badminton, has been forced to use her personal funds to compete in international events. But not everyone is as fortunate as her, for neither the government nor private companies sponsor them.
Former Indian badminton star Aditi Mutatkar had to run from pillar to post for sponsorship. She was only second to Saina Nehwal, but due to lack of sponsors, she lost a chance. She recently wrote in an article online that because she did not want her parents to pay for her international tournaments, hunting for sponsors was one of “the most important lessons” of her life.
Former national chief badminton coach Syed Mohammed Arif who has produced champions like Pullela Gopichand, Saina Nehwal and Jwala Gutta, sheds some light on the subject.
“The struggle for funds has affected the sport for a long time. One must get to the top 10 for the government or private sponsors to come forward to fund. I can understand that private sponsors want to associate their company with big names but the government can definitely take better initiatives. Why wait for the Olympics and fret about not winning medals? Meetings should be called beforehand to identify problems the players are facing,” he explains.
There is no dearth of sporting talent in the country but we’re just not able to harness it. The players need encouragement in the initial stages to get to the top. Arif adds, “The government helps players in tournaments where they represent the country — like the Olympics.
Otherwise one must spend from their own pockets. Jwala spends almost Rs 10 lakh every year to participate in matches. Families and friends also help sometimes.”
Outside help
Coaches and co-players do help on a few occasions but it gets impossible to help all of them each time. “There are occasions where I’ve sponsored for material and equipment, but people called me a lunatic,” reveals Arif.
“A player may get sponsors if they are connected with powerful names in the badminton associations. The government funds only select players. Although I have been performing well, I still don’t have a private sponsor. The only option is to pay ourselves. Many players end up quitting,” says Jwala Gutta.
“The government helps you if you get to the national level. There are NGOs like the Olympic Gold Quest who also help. In the initial stages of my career, I asked friends for help and even went to the extent of selling jewellery!” says Parupalli Kashyap.
Players B. Sai Praneeth and Meghana Jakkampudi have been struggling to get to the top, in spite of their talent. “The government must do something. My parents have been helping me throughout. Once they even thought of asking me to quit... but things have gotten better now,” says Praneeth.
Meghana agrees, “Nobody funds us unless we’re in the core team. It’s only our parents.” In the quest, only a few manage to get to the top. Others burn out and quit. It’s time the scenario of sports changed — for good.
