96 pct Citizens want politicians out of Sports Federations for better sports governance and performance
Highlights
- • 86% citizens believe induction of accomplished sportsmen in various sports bodies will significantly improve selection and training of players
- • 92% citizens believe funds misuse and corruption is common in State Sports Departments and Bodies
New Delhi, December 29, 2016 : The appointment of Suresh Kalmadi and Abhay Singh Chautala as Honorary Lifetime Presidents by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) came as a shock to most. Suresh Kalmadi has been charged for corruption in regards to Commonwealth Games and it was during Abhay Singh Chautala’s tenure as IOA President that International Olympic Committee (IOC) had suspended IOA for fielding charge sheeted candidates. Chautala’s election as IOA chief was annulled by the IOC.
Citizens have been very vocal about this appointment and many posts and comments have been received about crony corruption in sports on the LocalCircles platform. To gauge the pulse of the citizenry in quantitative terms, LocalCircles initiated polls on the subject of sports governance and what is required to make it governance more effective and drive better results for India.
Over 7500 participants from over 200 districts of India participated in this poll. 96% citizens explicitly said that politicians should not be part of any sports federation. Citizenry believes that most sporting bodies are led by non-sportsmen i.e. politicians and bureaucrats who have never played at international levels. The politicisation of Indian sports is the root cause for the country not being able to create world class athletes. People are also tired of the political interference in sports.
Corruption was another issue that is endemic in sports bodies due to political interference, nepotism and lack of performance measures. 92% of the citizen’s perception is that corruption is very high in State sports department and bodies.
An overwhelming majority of 86% people said in the poll that sports bodies should be headed and controlled by sportspersons. To revamp the sports bodies in various disciplines in the country, it is critical that world class sportsmen are inducted at all levels in a sports organisation, so that they can help build a culture that promotes, trains and build world class talent.
Please see the detailed polls below:
Poll #1
Poll #2
Poll #3
About LocalCircles
LocalCircles takes Social Media to the next level and makes it about Communities, Governance and Utility. It enables citizens to connect with communities for most aspects of urban daily life like Neighborhood, Constituency, City, Government, Causes, Interests and Needs, seek information/assistance when needed, come together for various initiatives and improve their urban daily life. LocalCircles is free for citizens and always will be!
K Yatish Rajawat- media@localcircles.com, +91-9818311177
