In a shocking move, the Haryana government has ordered sportspersons to deposit one-third of their earning from professional sports and endorsements to the Haryana Sports council for “development of sports” in the state.
The gazette notification dated April 30 and undersigned by Ashok Khemka, Principal Secretary, Sports and Youth Affairs Department, states that “One-third of the income earned by sportspersons from professional sports or commercial endorsements will be deposited with the Haryana State Sports Council, amount to be used for development of sports in the state.”
#Haryana Govt notification dated 30 April 2018 asks sports-persons to deposit one-third of their income earned from professional sports or commercial endorsements to the Haryana State Sports Council, amount to be used for development of sports in the state. pic.twitter.com/I254k976lZ
— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2018
The circular also reads: “In case the sportsperson is treated on duty with the prior approval of the competent authority while taking part in professional sports or commercial endorsements, the full income earned by the sportsperson on this account will be deposited with the Haryana State Sports Council.”
Freestyle-wrestler Geeta Phogat was extremely disappointed as the Manohar Lal Khattar government issued the diktat. While talking to Times Now, she said, “It is understandable if this new rule is applied to cricketers since they earn a lot from the sport as well as through endorsements. However, from athletes from sports such as wrestling, kabaddi and boxing etc., this is extremely disappointing.”
Although Haryana has produced many great sportspersons, this is not the first time that a controversy has erupted between the athletes and the current Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in the state.
The athletes from Haryana, for instance, won an impressive 22 medals for the country at the Commonwealth Games in Australia this year. However, the Khattar government cancelled the awards ceremony to felicitate the state’s Commonwealth Games medal winners in April after some of the CWG medalists such as Vinesh Phogat threatened a boycott over a proposed cut in prize money.
Many sportspersons slammed the government for the move:
Does the government even realize how much of hard work a sportsperson puts in? How can they ask for one-third of the income? I do not support this at all. Govt should've at least discussed it with us: Wrestler Babita Phogat to ANI on Haryana govt's notification (File Pic) pic.twitter.com/s1UTKJ03TP
— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2018
This policy should be reviewed. Govt should establish a committee of senior sportspersons & take their input before forming a policy of this type. This will affect the morale of sportspersons & might affect their performance as well: Sushil Kumar, on Haryana Govt's notification pic.twitter.com/NXcZ9WZsWC
— ANI (@ANI) June 8, 2018