In defence of sports and politics

Gautam Ganguly

(gautamganguly2012@gmail.com)

Expressing strong protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine and extending solidarity to the football players of the beleaguered nation besides championing the cause of world peace, FIFA, the world soccer governing body, has suspended the Russian national team from participating in all international football matches until further decision. The UEFA too has announced that Russian teams will not be allowed to compete in its upcoming European Championship league 2022, close on the heels, the 'All England (Tennis) Club' has banned players from Russia and Belarus from participating in the ensuing iconic 'Wimbledon Tennis Championship, 2022.' Needless to say, all these 'decisions' emanating from different sports bodies drive home the bitter truth that politics and sports remain inextricably linked despite efforts by well-intentioned quarters to keep sports and politics in two separate watertight compartments. Contemporary history is replete with instances of politics having a 'definitive say' on an otherwise healthy world of sports.

Amidst all-pervading commotion and uncertainty gripping the sports world, Djokovic and Nadal, the two living legends with fabulous 20 plus Grand Slams in their kitty, exemplifying true sportsman spirit, moral guts and support to the tennis fraternity, have resented categorically over the decision of Wimbledon authority to ban Russian players from competing. Similar voices of protest echoed by sportspersons from other disciplines highlight the fact that brotherhood and bonhomie characterize the world of sport despite on-field, stiff competition.

While the legality of the Russian invasion of Ukraine is being debated and analysed by the political experts and commentators, the enormous cruelty unleashed on the civilian, innocuous Ukrainian population and devastation caused to its sprawling infrastructure shock and stun the most politically detached apolitical observers. Tear arousing scenes of ladies and children lying dead on the Ukrainian streets transgress all humanitarian considerations. Mariupol has produced some of the greatest human sufferings, cities like Kharkiv, Kyiv etc have seen merciless destruction. Even private properties have been razed to the ground.

Gruesome incidents and senseless atrocities during the ongoing Ukraine imbroglio have, interestingly, unveiled a new dimension to human dilemma and suffering. Nowadays, in any social gatherings, discussion on Ukraine is invariable alongside sky-rocketing price rise of essential commodities. The other day, in one such gathering, amidst a full-throated discussion on Ukraine by a few well placed, enlightened individuals, a young girl joined and pointed out a few startling pieces of information, much to the delight of participants. On query, it was revealed that the girl, Prapti Kalita, is one among twenty-five students from Assam, who were pursuing an MBBS course at Bukovinian State Medical University (BSMU) situated in Chernivtsi.

Approximately, 2000 Indians study at this university. Now, the Ukraine holocaust stands like a Himalayan obstacle to the dreams and aspirations of bright students like Prapti Kalita.

Be that as it may. Going back to the topic of political interference in the world of sports, one is reminded of the 1980 Olympics in Moscow hosted by Soviet Russia, one of 'the- then superpowers' of the world. The Moscow Olympics was boycotted by sixty-five countries at the insistence of the United States of America in protest against what was described as 'Russia's intervention in the domestic matters of Afghanistan. The then US President, Jimmy Carter, had championed the campaign of boycotting the Olympics which was responded to by several other political leaders. Finally, eighty nations had participated in Moscow Olympics which is, to date, the smallest number ever to take part in any Olympics, the world's greatest 'sports extravaganza'. It is worth mentioning that India last became 'Olympic champion' in Hockey having defeated Pakistan in Moscow Olympics.

Ironically, the USA had to pay dearly for its stance on Russia when Taliban jihadis based in Afghanistan had air raided, among others, the World Trade Centre, New York, on 9th September 2001, infamously described as the 9/11 tragedy. Intriguingly, all these sports bodies were silent when the USA's invasion of Vietnam!

The 'white regime' of South Africa was practising the condemnable policy of 'apartheid', which encouraged state repression of "Black Africans, Asian, South Africans, and others for the benefit of the nation's minority white population" since 1948. The political leaders of the entire world got united to oppose the policy of apartheid and decided to boycott South Africa and debarred them from participating in any international sports event. The worldwide unanimous support to ostracize the dictatorial 'white regime' had bolstered the 'freedom movement' spearheaded by the legendary Nelson Mandela. Thus, sports diplomacy had contributed immensely and positively to throwing away the oppressive, racial, minority regime in South Africa.

True to his 'Fascist' and 'Nihilist' nature, it was Hitler who had first tried to interfere in the autonomy of 'FIFA' and pressurized to hold the 1942 version of the World Cup in Germany. 'FIFA' had opposed Hitler's tactics. The then FIFA Vice President, Ottorino Barassi, an Italian, got the 'Jules Rimes' Cup transferred to his home, where he hid it in a "shoebox under his bed 'for the entire duration of the Second World War to keep the Nazis from getting their hands on it... It speaks volumes of their courage of Barassi coupled with his passion for the game that helped to preserve the coveted trophy.

Sport is a mighty leveller... The spontaneous expression of joy and euphoria witnessed the performance of Messey, Roger Federer, Rishav Pant or Lovlina Borgohain and others, to name a few, glorifies the strength of sports to make the entire humanity stand on one platform annihilating all man-made differences.