How Unsportsmanlike!

A pedestrian walks past a security fence and barricades located outside a venue for the upcoming Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia, April 3, 2018. REUTERS/David Gray

Being an Indian and being sportsmanlike are two different things. This was amply evident when Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CWGOC) asked the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to pay a bill to the tune of Rs 74 lakh on account of the damages done by Indian athletes at the Commonwealth Games Village in Gold Coast recently.

Needless to say the IOA president, Narinder Batra was left fuming and in turn asked the various National Sports Federations to cough up the amount. A case of national embarrassment indeed!

On the flip side, it doesn’t come as a surprise too. After all, how many times do we think before damaging public property even on our own soil? We burn buses, pelt stones at government buildings, litter the roads and paste posters on road signs and what not. The reason could be any – slight provocation, misplaced concern, total apathy or sheer pleasure.

It’s a proverbial case of “if you want your child not to misbehave in front of others, please correct his conduct at home.”

The CWGOC in Australia asked IOA to compensate for damages done, to different articles including door keys and refrigerators.

It is quite paradoxical that these athletes, who seek to win laurels for India, actually put the country to shame with such an irresponsible and deplorable act.

The concerned NSFs and the IOA should identify such sportspersons and make them realise their mistake. In fact, the IOA has already taken the first step.

“The NSFs should be asked to speak with concerned athletes and support staff that such things should not happen in future… Such kind of activities bring bad name for our country and these are the basic things that each participating NSF needs to explain and tell its participating athletes and officials for the (upcoming) Asian Games and all other games in future,” IOA president Narinder Batra said in a letter.

It is good that Narinder Batra made the matter public, for brushing it under the carpet would have meant a repeat shame. Hopefully, better sense will prevail upon our athletes next time.