Proposal to stop cash awards for junior international medalls gets a thumbs down from athletes, coaches | Sport-others News

The sports minry’s proposal to stop giving cash awards to junior athletes winning medals at international events hasn’t gone down well within the sports fraternity, with athletes, coaches, and parents calling it a ‘demotivating move.’As reported The Indian Express, the government wants to tackle the menace of age fraud and doping at the junior level and is considering withdrawing the financial attraction that may prompt some to take shortcuts to success.
However, athletes and coaches feel that this move would mean that junior players won’t have the motivation to compete. It would be a major disincentive for athletes from impoverished backgrounds.
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“I think the age-testing measures need to be stricter in order to control age fraud. Ending the cash incentives will result in junior athletes getting demotivated,” Vijay Sharma, boxing coach at the Army Sports Institute, told The Indian Express.
Olympian and former shot put national champion Om Prakash Karhana believes the decision doesn’t consider \the basic socio-economic fabric of the country.
“As a former athlete, I can tell you that the cost of diet and equipment is very high for a middle-class Indian family. In such a society, ending cash rewards is not a positive move,” Karhana weighed in.
“Athletes coming from a poor background need that cash to elevate themselves from the junior to elite level. The sponsorships come after that. This move might result in young athletes dropping out.”Story continues below this ad
According to the old system, a gold medal at the Junior World Championship would fetch an athlete approximately Rs 13 lakh while a top spot on the podium at the Asian or Commonwealth level provided a cash prize of Rs 5 lakh.
Current U20 3000m steeplechase national record holder Sharuk said such a move can be a killer blow to the dreams of athletes who come from villages.
“Sirf bade level waalo ko denge? (Will they award only the senior medalls?),” a puzzled Sharuk asked.
“Athletes like me come from small villages and poor families and we work hard to reach this level. We hope that reaching an international podium can help us get better shoes and a better diet. This move will kill all those hopes.”Story continues below this ad
A sports minry official said one of the key factors behind this decision was to promote junior competitions as developmental events rather than making it all about a podium finish and avoid burnout of younger athletes.
Sri Aiyappa, husband of Olympian heptathlete Pramila and father of Junior Asian medall Unnathi Aiyappa, questions the role of federations and other governing bodies in controlling burnout of younger athletes.
“It is the job of the federation and bodies like the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to plan for the athletes, especially at the junior level. If they feel that younger athletes are burning out, it means the problem lies with the coaches,” said Aiyappa.
“If the federations start scrutinising the coaching systems and how younger athletes train, it will be a better move than this one.”Story continues below this ad
Athletes and coaches believe that the menace of age fraud, doping and younger athletes burning out can be controlled via other moves.
Karhana believes the need of the hour was use of advanced technology. “We should set up a robust system using technology to detect and control things like age fraud,” he said.
“Education is very important and there is a need to sensitise parents and coaches alike about the right practices when it comes to younger athletes. If we put more money into education, it will eventually show results.”
Vijay Sharma, who has trained junior World champion boxers such as Vanshaj Singh, believes cash prizes should be restricted.Story continues below this ad
“The government can restrict the cash prize money to only the junior world championship and continental championships. But ending it isn’t the best move as Uzbekan and Kazakhstan also incentivise their younger athletes,” he said.
Another suggestion is that if junior athletes’ basic expenses are covered, they won’t require cash prizes.
“It can be a great move but only if federations or other governing bodies cover the basic expense of food, equipment and accommodation for these younger athletes. There won’t be any need for cash rewards if the basics are covered,” a former national-level jumper said on the condition of anonymity.
Ghanshyam, coach of current pole vault national record holder Dev Meena, asked the government to keep the prize money.
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“I think it is important that our government keeps in mind that junior athletes are kids and the prize works as a big motivation for them. I believe the best way is to keep the cash prize and educate younger athletes about doping and age fraud,” he said.