The Indian sports ministry’s recent reiteration of a diktat, released on July 18, 2013, to all recognised National Sports Federations about players having to compulsorily make themselves available to play for India if they wish to avail grants, is unfair to say the least. The release did not name the nation’s top tennis stars Somdev Devvarman, Leander Paes and Rohan Bopanna, but was aimed at them as they had refused to participate in the Incheon Asiad, citing the loss of rankings points on the ATP circuit.

The babus sitting in air conditioned offices in the national Capital know little about the sweat and toil of a professional sportsperson. Playing professional sport requires massive funding, which the government does not provide. It only pays for training and aspects like food, travel, for only the top players in the run-up to a Davis Cup, Olympics, Asian Games and CWG. However, few know that it costs any Indian player to the tune of Rs 50 lakh to Rs 2 crore to be part of the ATP Tour.