Having to pay for uniforms leaves many struggling

JAKARTA:This is a twist to the payand-play idea that hits many in the Indian contingent where it hurts most --- their pockets. Around 82 athletes representing the country have had to fund uniforms for the Games’ opening and closing ceremonies.

One of them, a soft tennis player from North India, got ~45,000 needed to meet the requirements by mortgaging his mother’s jewellery for two months. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) had made it clear that all disciplines not affiliated to it would need to fund their uniforms. “Even though we weren’t part of the opening ceremony, we deposited the full amount and I am hopeful we will get it back soon after two months, for every day my father would have to pay interest on the amount he has taken for me,” said the player here. “The issue ideally should have been taken care of by the Amateur Soft Tennis Federation of India (ASTFI).”

“What is the point of having such associations if they aren’t able to support needy players? After all, they would get the money back once the team returns from the Games,” he said. The uniforms for the opening and closing ceremonies that include blazers, shirt and tie cost ~15,000 and the playing kit --- that has T-shirts, socks, track suits, a gym bag and suitcase — is priced at ~30,000 per athlete. “The IOA as well as the sports ministry should have funded this for all players of non-priority sports,” said an official who did not want to be named. A non-priority sport is one that is not recognised by IOA.