Even as the Indian government has bagged the hosting rights for the 2030 Commonwealth Games, is in contention for the hosting rights for the 2036 Olympics and is interested in hosting the Asian Games, the country’s athletes continue to face hurdles.
India’s taekwondo athletes have been asked by the national federation (India Taekwondo), which is authorised to select and send team entries, to fund their expenses for representing the country at the Asian Championships. The athletes have been asked to deposit a little over Rs 2 lakh for expenses to be incurred on boarding and lodging.
Taekwondo athlete Etisha Das, who will represent India at the Asian Championships in the 73kg category, had to resort to the crowd funding method, “appealing to family, friends, and the public for support.”
“My name is Etisha Das and I am an international taekwondo athlete and national taekwondo team member for the last four years. I have recently qualified for the Asian Championships which is going to be held in Mongolia (Ulaanbaatar) from 21st to 24th May. Since our sport is not getting support from the government we have to pay all the expenses for these championships by ourselves,” she said in her post.
“We have to submit around two lakh to the federation within two days. It is a short notice but I am looking for someone out there who can possibly help me make this championships a success, help me bear the expenses for this championships. I will be very grateful and hopefully I will bring a medal for India and more glory to our nation,” she added.
India Taekwondo’s treasurer Rajat Aditya Dixit was unavailable for comments.
Speaking to The Tribune, Etisha, who is a trainee at the National Centre of Excellence in Lucknow, said the federation seeking money was a routine affair and all players are expected to foot the expenses.
“The Asian Championships would be my eighth tournament and we have paid every time,” she said on Wednesday. “My father who retired from Verka has been funding my expenses all this while. We do not get direct support from the government as our federation is not recognised and we do not have sponsors as well. What options do we have?” she said.
