The political will to spend on sport has increased: Geet Sethi

With just 50 days left for the Olympics, the hopes and expectations of more than a billion people are hinging on India’s sports persons  to bring glory to a nation which has mysteriously lacked in individual medals at the Games. With money hard to come by for world-class support, organisations like the Olympic Gold Quest come in to provide a platform for them. Geet Sethi, who is the founding member of the OGQ was speaking to reporters today at a press conference which was also attended by boxer Mary Kom and shooters Sanjeev Rajput and Vinod Kumar. [caption id=“attachment_335995” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Geet Sethi, a five-time billiards world champion was upbeat about the progress made by India in the field of Olympics. AFP”]  [/caption] Indian sports minister Ajay Maken was quoted in this report in May 2012 that close to Rs 124 crores has been spent on Olympic participants. “Till 29th February, 2012, approximately an amount of Rs. 123.73 crores has been spent on the athletes. The ministry is closely monitoring the athletes and is in regular touch with sports federations, SAI and experts in the respective fields to review their preparation.” It is also known that the sports ministry has set aside Rs 258 crores for athletes’ preparation. Geet Sethi, a five-time billiards world champion was upbeat about the progress made by India in the field of Olympics. “Our growth trajectory of our Olympics performance has been positive. It hasn’t been great, but since 1996, the Olympic trend as far as India’s performance goes is upward. But a lot of money goes into the making of a world-class Olympian. From equipment to the diet and the coach and the expenses of sending them overseas for training camps. Sethi believes that the situation is much better than what it was: “There is a lot of money being pumped in and is trickling down to the athletes. I have seen a shift in government stance also. Sethi said that he was aware of the country going through financial trouble, but that the intent to spend on sport has certainly seen a rise. “Certainly more can be done but even our political will to spend on sport has increased. What I’m sure of is that there has been a dramatic shift in the last 5-7 years.”