Sports in Kerala, now a cesspool

Kerala's relegation to the 14th position in the 38th National Games held in Uttarakhand has opened the way for huge debates, controversies and upheavals in the state. This is the first time in history that Kerala failed to earn a spot in the top ten list in the National Games. This year, Kerala won 54 medals including 13 gold, 17 silver and 24 bronze.

In the last Games in Goa, Kerala was fifth with 87 medals including 36 gold, 24 silver and 27 bronze. Kerala Olympic Association President V Sunilkumar was the first to fire shots at the sports ministry for the shambolic performance of the team in the national games.

In response to the criticism against him, Minister V. Abdurahiman slammed the Olympic Association for milking money from the ministry and doing nothing. The minister also raised the allegation of match-fixing for the Kerala team ending up winning the silver medal in handball. With the president of the state sports council also coming against the associations, the Olympic Association has released information on the funds received in the past years and its utilization certificates.

In the meantime, the handball players threatened to throw their medals into the sea in protest over the minister’s allegation of match-fixing. The Sports Council came forward with an explanation that the minister had a slip of the tongue as they said the allegation was aimed at the netball team not handball. However, the minister refused to change his former statement.

The accusations and counter-accusations give a sneak peek into the cesspool that is now the milieu of sports in Kerala. It has been months since the money for food was allotted to the hostels that provide training to the budding sportsmen of Kerala. Grants for going to national competitions are also due.

Many association office-bearers are scurrying the doors of the sports council in desperation to receive grants for conducting various camps in preparation for the national games. These improvements alone are not enough to bring Kerala back to its former glory in sports.

Even States like Manipur, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi have surpassed Kerala in the medal list in the National Games. Kerala's problem is the non-distribution of funds on time. In the last budget, the government allocated Rs 189 crore for the sports directorate and council. If this money is properly prioritized and spent on time, this crisis will be resolved and the path forward will be smooth.

If not made efforts to end the current imbroglio, the next year’s national games would offer a far more appalling embarrassment.