Norms are in place to be followed. Norms are in place so that everything is in order. Norms are in place so that everyone is an equal. But for some, norms are in place to be flouted; to be messed around with. They’re not really messing around with norms. They’re messing around with talent. The Indian sports authorities seem to enjoy taking their world governing bodies for a ride. The typical ‘chalta hain’ attitude doesn’t bother them even a tad bit, all it does is put the careers of exceptionally talented sportspersons at stake.
It wasn’t very long back when the Indian Olympic Association was thrown out of the International Olympic Council’s fold for acting smart. Despite that, they weren’t the ones to be once bitten, twice shy. In fact the word shy shies away from them. Their elections never happened on time and after much drama, things settled.
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) could disown Boxing India, for this time, they haven’t been caught just napping. They’ve put their ‘chalta hain’ attitude to the best possible utility. Notified on May 15 this year, BI was asked to have fresh elections within 3 months to form a new federation. With the August 15 deadline closing in slowly from all sides and BI stating very clearly that elections ‘will have to be postponed’ there seems to no logical way to avoid irking the world body.
In no mood to let them off the hook this time AIBA is likely to take stringent action, in all probability, axing the association altogether. This might mean nothing to the babus who run the show, but it sure means a lot to boxers, who have never let down the million-strong medal hopes in any contest they take part.
Theirs is a sad condition. Despite having the talent, they’re at some pan-chewing babu’s mercy. Despite the credentials, they might have to watch the action from the sidelines. They’re probably wishing that they were born in another country, where their talent would have been valued and nurtured. Here, everything functions on the ‘chalta hain’ mode.