'Politics within Indian sports is unbearable': PT Usha frustrated with Troubling Sports Politics In India

PT Usha, a venerable figure in Indian athletics and the current president of the Indian Olympic Association, recently articulated her views on the state of sports politics in India, asserting it to be significantly more troubling than that found in general society.

During her address at the 'Aravangalkkappuram' session, which is part of the Hortus Cultural Festival held at Kozhikode Beach, she expressed her frustrations.

"I don't hold the opinion that all politics is bad and I see both sides. But the politics within Indian sports is unbearable," she said.

Despite never aspiring for the leadership position within the Indian Olympic Association, Usha reaffirmed her commitment to her role, emphasizing the importance of determination and success in her endeavours.

In a revealing discussion about the challenges athletes face, Usha highlighted the situation surrounding Vinesh Phogat during the Olympics. She outlined the extensive support given to Phogat, including a team of five training assistants, an arrangement she described as unparalleled in Indian sports history.

Despite these efforts, when issues arose regarding Phogat's adherence to weight requirements, Usha found herself unjustly blamed, even after discussing the matter with the president of world wrestling. "They made it clear that rules are the rules and it's the athlete's responsibility to adhere to weight requirements. Yet, the blame seemed to fall squarely on me," Usha conveyed, shedding light on the complexities and challenges of managing athlete preparations and expectations.

Another point of contention Usha raised was the exclusion of Jisna Mathew from the 4x400m relay team for the Paris Olympics. Usha argued that Mathew deserved a spot on the team, criticizing the selection process that overlooked her trainee's performance.

She lamented the interference in the selection process that prevented a Malayali woman athlete from participating in the Olympics, stating, "In other countries, final team selections are based strictly on performance in trials, and that's how it should be here too. Unfortunately, unnecessary interference in selection prevented us from having a Malayali woman athlete at the Olympics this time," which underscores the broader issue of selection fairness and transparency in Indian athletics.

In essence, PT Usha's experiences and observations offer a candid look into the intricacies of sports administration and the hurdles athletes and their coaches face. Her leadership role in the Indian Olympic Association shines a light on her determination to address these challenges head-on, despite the political hurdles that are seemingly more daunting within the realm of Indian sports than in the wider society. Through her commitment to fairness and excellence, Usha aims to foster a more supportive and less politicized environment for India's athletes.