Sports Organizations want(NEED) the Politicians but not the politics

                If there is too much traffic, the politician is at fault, If its too hot, the politicians is at fault, If it rains too much, lo and behold the politician is at fault. The above statement is a slight exaggeration of the common man's emotion but its not too far from the truth. A video that has recently surfaced online of the Governor of Kerala pushing the Indian football Captain Sunil Chettri to the side during a presentation ceremony was an unfortunate incident that provoked a discussion around the involvement of politicians in sports. 

  

Source : https://www.onmanorama.com/sports/football/2022/09/19/west-bengal-governor-pushes-sunil-chhetri-video-goes-viral.html 

  

                Firstly, the incident was very unfortunate and having played at a very primary level of competitive sports, I can totally understand the reasoning behind people's anger. A contrary video has also surfaced of Ricky Ponting shoving then ICC Vice President Mr. Sharad Pawar off the stage which was very disrespectful and demeaning. It was quiet ironic because it was the same Pawar, who went on to hand to over the 2011 World Cup to MS Dhoni and it was in the same tournament that Dhoni's India knocked over Ponting's Australia in the quarter-finals to end their unbeaten run in World Cups from 1999. These anecdotes and incidents are quiet enjoyable in hindsight, especially if your an Indian fan.  
             Coming to the gist of this blog, the role of politicians is extremely critical to the success of organizations, this is not an opinion, its fact. India is a global superpower in the world of cricket, and this has happened under the leadership of politicians who run the show on the face of it or behind the curtains. The organization needs them to flex their muscles financially and politicians need the organization to stay relevant and powerful. Two examples in vastly differing circumstances but will elaborate my point beyond doubt.
             We have a education institute consisting of 18 schools which are full granted by the government(no fees) located in rural areas for underprivileged children. In 2022, I have decided to host a sports week consisting of various sports including Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Volleyball and Athletics with over 1800 students participating. The expenses of this event has reached 7-8 lakh rupees and we need sponsorship. Most of the sponsorship in rural areas in its initial years is dependent on the host and not the event, the sponsors are more inclined to pay up if they know some politician is associated with the event, certain favors can be exchanged in the future. There is no way the institute would be  in a position to generate a 6 figure amount. 
            In 2022, The Kerala Cricket Association was playing host to an T20 between South Africa and India. The local electricity board decided to cut of supply if their pending dues were not cleared and the Association was not in a position to pay the required amount. If certain sections of the media are to be believed, a senior politician from the BCCI intervened and the issue was resolved overnight. Do you reckon the electricity board would have budged with a request from an ordinary man?, probably not. 
            The above incidents are examples of politicians positively influencing events using there power and financial clout. However, there are excruciating circumstances where dirty politics is played leading to the eventual downfall of the organization. This is in no way justifying the rampant corruption brought about by politicians but one must admit that politicians may bring corruption with them, but they also bring a sex appeal for power and understanding for running institutes, which if used well, can be a recipe for success.