Sports scenario of state in doldrums

Former heavyweights in four different sports events feel that  Maharashtra has lost its glory in the field of sports over the years. The state, which used to produce world class shooters, wrestlers, athletes and boxers besides other disciplines,  have lost competition to other states.

Former Olympian in rifle shooting Deepali Deshpande feels that the state government has to work hard to frame the sports policy to change the dynamics. “We were once strong in shooting. In 2004 Olympics in Athens, we were three women (Deepali, Anjali Bhagwat, Suma Shirur) in the Indian shooting team and all three where from Maharashtra. Since then the scene is sad. After our generation, only quality shooters Tejaswini Sawant and Rahi Sarnobat have done well at international levels. They too came up at individual level,” she said at Sports Journalists’ Association of Mumbai event here on Wednesday.

The 49-year-old Mulund based shooter has been with National Rifle Association of India (NRAI) to coach the Indian juniors since 2012. She volunteered to coach state shooters for free if given the right atmosphere.

“If I can work for national team for 15 months without getting a penny, I can do it for our state if given the right platform. Nationally, there have been big changes in policies in last four years. So,we have to work hard to catch up to them,” she added.

Once the fastest sprinter in India from Mumbai, Adille Sumariwalla feels that the sports in Maharashtra is in doldrums. The current Athletics Federation of India President, who won nationals in 100m event of Track and Field eleven times in his prime, feels Maharashtra, once the super power of sports in the country, is in poor state.

“Maharashtra sports is in doldrums.  It is very sad where the sports has reached in the state. There is no plan in place and even if there is some plan, it doesn’t get implemented. Seven years ago, I tried to change things by getting into the system but nothing happened,” he revealed.

Jay Kowli who is the Secretary General of Boxing Federation of India expressed similar views. “Earlier state government had good funds allocation for sports. Now I don’t know how much is allotted, there isn’t much awareness on it. Sportspersons are struggling in sports like boxing as they don’t get enough money. Even today, we have so many boxers participating in local events and the best junior boxer in the country is from Mumbai slums. But there is no excellence, which is why we no longer have good bunch of boxers at national and international levels. Politics by vested interests has eaten up the sports,” said Kowli who is also the Vice President of Maharashtra Olympic association.

Rahul Aware’s coach Kaka Pawar felt besides government apathy,  the rise of Delhi and Haryana lobby has also affected Maharhastra wrestlers at international scene. Referring to Aware, who won Commonwealth Games gold at GoldCoast in 57kg freestyle but was asked to sit in trial for Asian Games unlike those close to the capital, he said, “Even if  we produce medal winners they face hurdles as the Delhi lobby seems strong,” said Pawar who owns an academy in Pune.