Haryana puts on hold '33%-income' demand from sportspersons after outcry
Hours after notifying a controversial rule demanding government-employed sportspersons to pay up 33% of their 'commercial' earnings, the Haryana government has put it on hold. The order sought the money from players' income from professional-sports and commercial-endorsements, for development of sports. Unsurprisingly, this has riled players like Geeta Phogat and others, who pointed out they already pay taxes on money they win in competitions.
All about the new rules
According to rules that came into force April 27, players will now have to seek extraordinary leave (without pay) for participation in professional sports. If they're considered on duty during such affairs, their full earnings will have to be given to the government. The money got through this route will go to the Haryana State Sports Council, which will use it to develop sports.
'Players don't get government help, why can't they earn themselves?'
The impact will be most felt by Olympian Vijender Singh, wrestler Geeta Phogat (both in Haryana Police) and hockey player Sardara Singh. "We have to work hard. A lot of monetary investment has to be made by our families. Players don't get financial-support from the government in their early years. So what's wrong if they earn through endorsements after earning a name worldwide?" Geeta asked.
'It seems as if illiterate people are making policies'
The new policy was criticized by others too. "The government should establish a committee of senior sportspersons and take their input before forming such policies. This'll affect the morale of sportspersons and might affect their performance too," Olympian Sushil Kumar said. Geeta's sister Babita, also a reputed wrestler, said, "If this is how things are going to work the medal count will go down."
Vijender turning professional had stirred a row with the government
Vijender turning professional in 2015, by entering into an agreement with UK-based Queensberry, had unleashed a controversy, when the government told the Punjab and Haryana HC that he hadn't informed his employers, the government, about the contract. He just told them he wanted to take coaching under a Queensberry trainer Lee Beard, and had requested to go to England for a year, it said.
Earlier, government backed leaves for-endorsements 'as players have limited shelf-life'
However, the government had submitted that outstanding sportspersons had been recruited in police to send a message to budding sportspersons. Since they have a limited shelf-life at international and national levels, "service/conduct rules governing sportspersons recruited need to be modified to allow them leave/permission to sign contracts/endorsements/participate in professional or amateur games, championships at different levels," the home department had told the HC.
