CHENNAI, JAN 18: It is amazing that participation in last month's Asian Games at Bangkok has so altered Geet Sethi's perception of Indian sports, and that too after two decades of top-flight competitive billiards and snooker.On Sunday evening, after formally inaugurating the city's latest billiards parlour called Pot Shot, when he kept the large turnout spellbound as only he could, the reigning World professional champion shared his impressions on not so much his sport's Asiad debut, but about fellow-Indian sportspersons, in an informal chat with this paper.``You know, it is time our sportspersons get their dues, at least by way of recognition of their achievements. In fact, that was the point I was trying to make when I confronted the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) officials in Bangkok and when Suresh (Kalmadi, the IOA president) and I shared the stage in a TV programme (Q & A on Star TV) last week. But I seemed to have failed,'' he explained.Geet kept harping on the sheer indifference ofthe officials vis-a-vis the needs of the sportspersons, while endorsing the view that generally, India does not know how to care for her champions.``In Bangkok, I got the opportunity to mix with several top players and I was depressed at the plight of some of them. They have no voice and if they speak their minds, then their careers are ruined. The case of the six hockey players dropped so soon after they won the gold in Bangkok, is a classic example. Apparently, the Indian Hockey Federation (IHF) could not digest criticism,'' the champion opined.Geet felt that this form of ``repression'' not only affected the morale of the Indian sportsperson, but also their self-esteem. ``If you do not have self-esteem, then I cannot see how you can perform,'' was his view.He confessed that his perspective of Indian sports set-up underwent a radical change following the Bangkok trip. He said he felt helpless and somewhat intimidated by the scenario where a pompous and insensitive officialdom calls the shots whilethe performers are reduced to being glorified bonded labourers.He pointed out that lack of facilities, incentives and opportunities also prevented talent from blossoming. ``This is something that our officials should address. And when the players point out certain shortcomings, the officials do not like it one bit,'' he observed.It would probably take an achiever of Geet's stature to break the shackles and provide the Indian sportsperson the freedom of thought, action and speech that is enshrined in the Constitution.But the question is, will Geet pick up the gauntlet? Despite himself exposing through his column the non-performance of the Billiards and Snooker Federation of India, little has changed. Messrs. P N Roy and his coterie continue to rule (or misrule?) the sport.However, should Geet take up the challenge and bring about even an iota of change, then it will be his greatest contribution to Indian sport.
