Sportspersons in Haryana are now probably relieved at their success in pressuring the Khattar government, which has put on hold a notification passed on April 30, 2018.
The notification had two stipulations:
1. It required athletes from professional sports or commercial endorsements to deposit one-third of their earnings with the Haryana State Sports Council.
2. In case the sportspersons are treated as being ‘on duty’ (with the prior approval of a competent authority), while participating in professional sports or commercial endorsements, the full income earned by them on this account will have to be deposited with the Haryana State Sports Council.
The authorities claimed that the money collected would be used for the development of sports in Haryana.
Understandably, many athletes were highly disturbed at this diktat. The wrestler Sushil Kumar was very critical of this move, saying that he had never heard of such a ridiculous order anywhere else in the world. Other athletes also called it a disturbing diktat. A few others expressed their worry about how they would be able to bear the costs of training in the face of this notification. After all, how could they simply give away the money they had earned through their will and rigorous training?
However, things started to look a little better once Haryana CM ML Khattar intervened in the matter. A feeling of expectancy started building up once the athletes came to know that the state government was tilting towards their side. In a way, Khattar government stumbled in the face of the strong opposition by the sportspersons. Ultimately, they were the ones who forced the government to withdraw the order.