By Paritosh Pramanik
THEIR requests are falling on deaf ears. The authorities are playing very safe citing the threat of coronavirus infection. But badminton coaches of the city are on the verge of ‘collapsing’. They are finding acute difficulty in making ends meet.
Since March 2020 lockdown, several NGOs and businessmen came forward to financially help sportspersons in difficulty. But the coaches of the city have been totally ignored. Every one, from government to NGOs to all Good Samaritans, have neglected these coaches, who rely only on their income from coaching.
Badminton coaches, around 40 in the city, are living in a state of distress. For more than a year, they are fighting for their survival. Hardly anybody is paying any heed to their genuine demands. Their savings have dried up and coaches are forced to break their FDs and SIPs prematurely.
‘The Hitavada’ contacted a few coaches of the city who are instrumental in producing district, state and national level champions.
Renowned coach of city Ajay Dayal said these are very testing times for all of them. He is imparting coaching to shuttlers for past 12 seasons and has produced international players like Ritika Thaker, Rohan Gurbani, Sourabh Kerhalkar.
“There are around 35-40 players I am imparting coaching. At present only physical training is being given as all the indoor halls are closed,” Dayal told this newspaper.
“The income has dried up due to lockdown. I am at present charging only for outdoor activities. But it is not sufficient to feed a family of four,” said Dayal.
Dayal asked while in other States indoor halls are open why is it not in Maharashtra.
“I don’t know why government is not allowing indoor sports activities. In other States all players are practicing and there is no problem,” said Dayal.
The ace coach feels that if such attitude of the Government continues, they would be forced to take extreme steps.
“The Government is forcing coaches to take extreme step because all indoor coaches are ‘jobless’ and frustrated due to continuous restriction of indoor activities. I am surviving on my savings till now and on SIPs but those are also now not sufficient,” said Dayal.
Another acclaimed coach Jayendra Dhole, who has coached medal winning players like Aasavari Khandekar, Aditi Sadhankar, Ameya Naktode, said he is finding it very difficult to manage school fees of his kids and other family expenses as everything is getting costlier day by day.
“I think Government is not understanding the problems coaches. I don’t think they have any idea that most of the coaches fully depend on coaching and they are not doing this for recreation. All other things are open except indoor sports and this is clear bias towards not only badminton but to other indoor sports as well,” said Dhole.
“These are very difficult times but I am a positive person and hope this time will pass soon,” added Dhole who is in coaching field for the past 20 years and has also coached India shuttler Malvika Bansod.
Dhole was pragmatic as he said that though the coaches are suffering, at the same time its the loss of players as well.
“Without any income its really difficult to sustain for one and half year and if this continues, players will suffer. Other state players are practicing but our players and parents are in dilemma whether to continue with sports or better fully focus on studies. It’s not good for sports at all,” Dhole reasoned.
Jibi Varghese, who runs Jibi School of Sports, said his number of students came down to 10 only since the pandemic broke.
“At present we are giving online training to the players both locally and outstation,” said Varghese who has coached players like Vaidehi Choudhari, Gandhar Nawale, Mugdha Agrey, Anura Prabhudesai, Dipti Kuity, Dapasha Joshi, Hritika Sharma Rudra Rane to name a few.
Varghese said he can’t challenge the Government rules but “a sympathetic view can help and support us all.”
“One has to look from both the angles - safety and security of people and their livelihood. We are lucky enough that parents, players and friends have helped us greatly and stood up with us during these testing times,” he said as a matter of fact.
Badminton Star Academy’s coach Amit Raut, too, feels its high time Government takes decision in coaches favour.
“I completely rely on coaching. My father passed away in April and I am the only bread earner in my family. I have to take care of my mother as well,” said Raut, who has produced medal winning shuttlers like Arya Bhujade, Aditua Yaul, Sanvi Jaiswal and many more.
Raut says that parents of players are financially helping them but for how long he should seek assistance from them.
“Some parents of players and friends are helping me financially to meet the basic daily needs of my family. But it’s been one-and-half year now since they are helping us and we are unable to repay as stadiums are continuously closed,” rued Raut.
Vishal Naik of Vishal Badminton Academy is dependent on his father since lockdown. “My father is a retired SBI employee. He is the only support to my family. He is paying my daughter’s school fees and all other expenses,” Naik revealed.
“Everything like gyms, bar, restaurants, market and other fields are open. Badminton coaching should also be given permission. We are ready to follow all the rules,” he said.
