Ministry neither giving funds nor equipment, say NSFs

New Delhi, May 3 : The National Sports Federations (NSF) Monday slammed the union sports ministry for claiming to fund the Indian sport when the reality is it only spends a fraction of its budgetary allocation to the federations.

"The sports ministry said that it gives us financial grants, but if you look at the amount of grant, it gives us Rs.1 lakh for around Rs.50 lakh that we spend on holding the nationals. NSFs are spending 10 times more than what the government is giving," said Badminton Association of India president V.K. Verma Monday.

"The ministry is not doing its job. In 2005, there was a ban on import of shuttles because of bird flu. But later it was proved that it is not affected by bird flu. But till now the ban stays and Indian players have tough time importing shuttles."

Verma also said there is no such rule as per the Badminton World Federation guidelines to restrict the tenure of office-bearers.

"The move to restrict tenure of NSF officials comes at a time when India has been short-listed for a Super Series badminton event alongside China and Switzerland. So now imagine how difficult it will be after this development to convince the international federation to get this event."

Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, president of Cycling federation, said the ministry is not doing its job properly.

"Their role is to provide infrastructure and equipment. Infrastructure is there but what about equipments? During the recent Asian Championship in Sharjah, our cyclists had to use models which were 10-15 years old and still one of the girls came 5th. We have been asking for modern equipments from the sports ministry for a long time, but they are sitting over it."

All India Tennis Association secretary general Anil Khanna said the ministry has no right to interfere with the work of the federations.

"This is totally uncalled for. It is not mentioned in the Olympic Charter that sports officials will have to serve for a fix tenure."

"He (Gill) has threatened that no teams will be allowed if it is not followed. If it is so, then the sportspersons will suffer."

Jagdish Tytler, president of Judo Federation, said the ministry has come up with such a move when the country is getting ready for the Commonwealth Games.

"Time will come when we he (Gill) will have to take his words back," he said.

Narendra Batra, president of Hockey India, said if Gill wants officials to retire after 70 years of age, then he should be the first to put in his papers.

"Charity begins at home. He should resign first, following the same rule."

Indian Olympic Association (IOA) general secretary Randhir Singh said they have informed the International Olympic Committee about the development.

"We have sent a letter to the IOC about our future course of action. We will take appropriate steps."