Divided & Diminished: Why Sports Icons Should Keep Off Politics

When the Payyoli Express took off the block, the nation held its breath. She sprinted like nobody in India did; nobody in Asia did. When she missed bronze in the 400 hurdles event by one hundredth of a second at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984, the nation was in tears. PT Usha, the Asian track queen of the 1980s, is a legend for a reason.

When Vinesh Phogat was disqualified in the wrestling event in the 50 kg category at the Paris Olympics this year for being 100 grams overweight, the nation reeled from shock and disbelief. ‘Unfair’ was the unanimous verdict from sports lovers. The multiple Commonwealth Games gold medalist received a lot of love and sympathy for what she could have achieved but did not.

PT Usha is now a Rajya Sabha member nominated by the BJP; Vinesh is a Congress candidate from Haryana for the assembly elections. In a recent statement, the latter accused the former, also the Indian Olympic Association president, of not providing enough support during her difficult times in the Paris Olympics. The matter of her disqualification is past, and there’s no point in finding a villain. And nobody for a second would hold PT Usha in suspicion. But both are politicians now. The reason for her statement would be read from the political perspective.

How unfortunate is that! Why must our sporting heroes be in a situation of conflict? Political parties don’t have any respect for achievers in other fields. There’s a political design at work when they choose sportspersons or people in creative fields in some role. The Congress wants to exploit the popularity of Vinesh for electoral benefits; PT Usha was nominated because the BJP was trying to expand its appeal in Southern India, specifically Kerala where its presence is weak. The reason is always similar when parties handpick people from the world of cinema or culture.

The list of sportspersons drafted into politics is a long one. The more recent ones include Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore (Olympic silver medalist in shooting), Vijender Singh (Olympic gold medalist is boxing), Babita Phogat (Commonwealth Games gold medalist in wrestling), Ravindra Jadeja (cricket all-rounder), Bajrang Punia (Olympic bronze medalist in wrestling), Gautam Gambhir (cricket), Harbhajan Singh (cricket) among others. The cases of those who have been in politics for more than a decade suggest that hardly any has reached high in the hierarchy of any party. Parties have a very limited use for their skills, knowledge and leadership ability.

Given the fractious nature of our political discourse, with all the cynicality thrown in, isn’t it better for our icons to stay away from politics? Saina Nehwal canvassing for a political party doesn’t make a pleasant sight, nor does anyone else. As sports icons they belong to the nation. The sweat, tear and toil they put into their game earns them undivided love and affection. Once they join a political outfit, they become party to its agenda, which may not be well-intentioned always. The loyalty to them gets divided and the legend stands diminished.

We won’t like a scenario where one sportsperson is in conflict with another. The Payyoli Express should shine bright as others forever.

(By Arrangements With Perspective Bytes)