“After all, should Indian cricket slip back into an age where players were a bit like ill-paid daily wage laborers, who were expected to pay obeisance to board officials if they wanted to be selected for the country? Or should cricketers be seen as highly talented professionals who have earned the right to demand their price in the marketplace? Big money must never be allowed to replace the honors of representing your state and country. But neither must talent come cheap.” Rajdeep asks and answers here in this great piece.

For past two three days, “Money to Cricketers” and “Election in Pakistan” are hogging the maximum news space and news time. My Take…

Now on to, “Money in Cricket”.
As Rajdeep observes and contrasts the ‘Cricket’ scene then – his fathers playing days and now, Cricket as a ‘Corporate Venture’, clearly Cricket has come a long way. I feel ‘happy’ for the cricketers who are minting money and see nothing wrong if they are well paid or – as some grudge, overly paid. “Making Hay as long as the Sun Shines”, is an age old maxim. After all, many Cricketers are not necessarily as ‘blessed’ with exceptional talent to keep playing as long as ‘Our Little Master’ has been! Good Luck to them, may they play well and earn more.

Having said this, I wonder about other sports. I wonder, as Barkha said some time back in her column , would Sania Mirza have been so popular among Indians had she been not a ‘Charming Young Lady’! I add – just for MSM, wonder MSM would have given her so much of coverage had she been not a ‘Muslim’ too!!

Just in recent past we witnessed the ‘contrast’ between the treatment meted out to two world cup winning teams, Cricket win in T20 world Cup and the Hockey win in the World Cup. On one side, the cricketers were showered with all the ‘monies’ and felicitations, The hockey players had to resort to ‘hunger strike’ to get their dues – they got that? I do not know.

Market economics, viewers’ interest, TRPs etc. in favor of Cricket, are all valid arguments. If BCCI has marketed ‘Cricket’ well and is earning money for self and cricketers, than kudos to them. Just wish they had been more transparent and accountable to the ‘public’ who after all the main source of their income. Alas!

Today, any Parent would be tempted to ask their sons (not daughters, as women cricket is still not popular) to ‘horn’ their skills in ‘Cricket’ than ‘burning mid light lamps’ to pursue career in Engg, Medical or MBA! After all ‘Cricket’ is the ticket to big name, fame and fortune. May be Parents have already started queuing up at ‘Cricket academy’ gates! Will cricket consume all other sports? As it is all other sports are almost ‘forgotten’.

Wish media too do some soul searching and take upon themselves to give a little more attention to other sports as well. If the achievements of other sports persons are given as much importance and coverage as is given to cricket, it might help the sports person to feel motivated and of course attract and motivate budding talents too. Sure media can do that, just cut the crap most of them show ‘incessantly’.

May I ask Mr. Mani Shankar Aiyaar, minister for sports and youth affairs? Sir, do you have any blue print for promotion of sports, or all energies are reserved for being in the good books of the ‘Queen Mother’ and ‘Crowned Prince?