PNS | DEHRADUN
Experts have opined that incidents of match-fixing in any sports competition dishearten current participants while also discouraging aspiring athletes who are in training. They said this after a recent event in which the Director of Competitions (DOC) for the Taekwondo segment of the 38th National Games was implicated in allegedly pre-determining the outcomes of matches prior to their commencement. It was discovered that this official was allegedly engaged in fixing the results. In light of these developments, experts have voiced their concerns and called upon the authorities to enhance oversight and supervision of such events in the future, including the National Games and other competitions.
In response to the concerns regarding the recent allegations of match-fixing, a retired sports coordinator from the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Dayal Singh Rawat acknowledged having seen the reports and expressed his apprehension about the issue. He said that there are two primary factors contributing to such occurrences in the games. Firstly, he noted that the Indian Olympic Association manages the competition organisation and appoints coaches and officials without any prior validation of their backgrounds or histories, which can lead to incidents of fixing. Additionally, the recent issues could also be linked to the negligence of the State Olympic associations in monitoring events, as it is their responsibility to ensure that no such activities disrupt the National Games. Rawat emphasised that such situations could negatively affect current athletes, as they may feel demotivated and uncertain about the integrity of future competitions. Further, individuals in training to become athletes may develop apprehensions about entering this field and their parents may also hesitate to support their involvement in sports where financial investments dictate their efforts. This situation can result in mental stress for both current players and those aspiring to become athletes. To address these issues in future sports competitions, it is suggested that relevant authorities, including the IOA, employ government observers to monitor such activities during matches in the future. Further, the State Olympic associations that organise these events should adopt a stricter and more vigilant approach throughout the competitions, he said.
“Sports inherently encompass the concept of competition, which involves physical efforts leading to various outcomes. However, incidents of match-fixing do not reflect the true morality of sports and those who undermine this morality cannot be considered true sportsmen. Such activities can have a detrimental impact on current athletes, instilling doubt in their minds during competitions, as they may fear facing similar issues. However, it is important to note that we cannot place the blame solely on the authorities or the government for these problems. It is a technical matter and therefore, the authorities should implement stricter monitoring and enhanced supervision to effectively address and eliminate such activities,” stated retired football coach from NIS Patiala, SC Negi.
The president of a kickboxing federation in Uttarakhand, Arvind Kotnala emphasised that such activities negatively impact the morale of players from financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Further, individuals training to become athletes also experience a decline in their morale and develop a fear of participating in sports. To prevent such incidents, the federation, along with other authorities, has taken on the responsibility of appointing supervisors and coaches for the competitions. This process will involve thorough verification of their credentials and scrutiny of their backgrounds, he stated.
