Boxing legend MC Mary Kom has been in the news this week for all the wrong reasons. First, she was selected to represent India in the upcoming World Championships without a selection trial in the 51kg category, leading to protests from her competitor Nikhat Zareen.
Then came the conflict of interest issue after being named in a 12-member elite panel set up by the Union government to decide on national sports awards, including the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna Award, Dronacharya Award and Major Dhyan Chand lifetime achievement award. Mary Kom is an active player and cannot be part of the committee which decides on awarding her colleagues especially those competing against her, or coaches who have trained or are training her.
This matter was reportedly red flagged by a senior official in the sports ministry while the panel was being finalised. However, it appears that the fact that she is an Olympic medallist, Rajya Sabha MP, and six-time world champion, worked in her favour. The matter is, however, being subjected to much debate now.
This was preceded by criticism that she has copped out on selection trials ahead of the World Championships in 51 kg category where she was set to meet Asian Championship bronze medallist Nikhat Zareen. It was later learnt that Mary Kom had, reportedly, "expressed her desire to not go through a trial due to her continuous high-level performances in the last few months". The selection committee acceded to her request owing to her gold medal-winning, consistent performances in the Round Robin Cup in Germany, India Open and the President’s Cup in Indonesia.
There is no doubt about the class and achievements of Mary Kom. At 36, 'Magnificent Mary' continues to rule the hearts of Indian sports fans.
However, it has raised questions over the sense of entitlement top Indian athletes have been exercising. Another example cited has been that of double Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar who had a bitter run in with both fellow wrestler Narsingh Yadav and the Wrestling Federation of India before Rio Olympics wherein he too did not want a selection trial to take place in his weight category.
Interestingly, one of the major clauses that a national sports federation has to adhere to, to renew its annual recognition from the sports ministry is to hold selection trials for its team ahead of any major international competition.
Snooker and billiards world champion Pankaj Advani has participated in selection trials each time he represents India in an international competition. Indian shooters, despite being under pressure to perform and win quotas to maintain their ranking points, have to undergo selection trials regularly. However, India's sporting icons, expected to lead by example and having gone through the rigours themselves when they were younger, by choosing to bend rules are doing no favour to the sport or the country.
It also reflects poorly on the National Sports Federations involved. India banks on a handful of sports disciplines to deliver medals at the world level. Pandering to the egos and whims of the senior athletes sends a wrong message to the younger athletes.
