Remember how Commonwealth Games in Delhi turned out? There were numerous reports of rampant corruption to the point that they named the whole incident as ‘CWG scam.’
The corrupt politicians may not have realised this, but everytime something like this happens, it spoils the image of India. But they do not seem to care. The repercussions go even deeper. Sports and athletics also suffer as they do not have any opportunity to grow after an international event like CWG. Even after these embarrassments, politicians still take sports and the image of India internationally very lightly.
And that is why it comes as no surprise that Babul Supriyo has been appointed as the Vice-President of the Organising Committee of Under-17 FIFA World Cup which will be held in India.
Babul Supriyo did win the elections as a representative for BJP. But his portfolio is in no way related to football, FIFA or sports for that matter.
He is the Minister Of State for Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.
But it seems like he is a good friend of Praful Patel, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) president. Because according to Patel, Babul Supriyo is a football fan and that seems like qualifications enough to organise an international sporting event.
Have appointed my friend and great football fan as Vice President of the U17 World Cup Organising Committee. Welcome aboard @SuPriyoBabul ! https://t.co/ujyl1CxQgx
— Praful Patel (@praful_patel) March 15, 2017
And guess what, Babul Supriyo is also going to compose a theme song for the same tournament!
This did not go unnoticed on social media though. People tweeted to show their surprise and shock.
1. Some linked it to ‘saffronisation’
@fni Saffronisation in football too!
— Rahul Sengupta (@RahulSaneGupta) March 15, 2017
2. This is a very valid question.
@fni @DeccanChronicle arreyyy… we indians are famous of screwing up something at the last moment.. who is this and whats he doing here??
— Vivek Mohan (@vivekmohan81) March 15, 2017
3. Nope. He has zero experience. Unless maybe he has organised concerts.
@praful_patel On what merit was @SuPriyoBabul appointed? Any previous experience/expertise in Organising mega events?
— Vinayak (@vinihooked) March 15, 2017
India is slowly clawing its way to making a mark in sports on an international level. Athletes work very hard to compete at the international level without much support from the government.
And after all this, insensitive politicians like Vijay Goel ruin India’s reputation in International events. We have all seen and read about what he did at the Rio Olympics.
We need sportsmen who empathise with other sportsmen and who know the culture and sanctity of sports to head the national sporting bodies.
Not failed singers who turned into politicians just for the heck of it.
H/T – Hindustan Times