Sports Administrator K Govindaraj's FICCI Lifetime Achievement Award sends out wrong message to Indian basketball community
Sportskeeda
, Dec 13, 2019
On 11th December, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) held its 'India Sports Awards', as part of its 9th Global Sports Summit. 19 awards were handed out at the ceremony hosted at the Federation House, Tansen Marg, New Delhi.
About the FICCI India Sports Awards 2019
There were many interesting categories of awards that in FICCI's own words "are an attempt by FICCI to acknowledge the contribution and felicitate the Olympics sports achievers and the various stake holders in the ecosystem who do exceptional work in the Promotion of Sports and bring pride to the nation."
Besides the player awards, awards were handed out in innovative categories such as 'Best Company Promoting Sports', 'Best NGO Promoting Sports', 'Best Sports Startup', 'Best Sports Journalist', etc.
Govindaraj wins Lifetime Achievement Award (Administrator)
But it is another award category - 'Lifetime Achievement Award (Administrator)' - that is of special interest to the Indian basketball community, thanks to its declared winner this year.
This year, the administrative Lifetime Achievement Award went to Karnataka's Govindaraj Kempareddy, who, among holding other administrative posts, is the current President of the Basketball Federation of India (BFI). Notably, Mr. Govindaraj is also the Vice-president of the Indian Olympic Association.
A perusal of Mr. K Govindaraj's Wikipedia page would show a long history of organizing various sports events within Karnataka right from 1990. Additionally, it also highlights Mr. Govindaraj as having served as a 'Chief-De-Mission'/manager of Indian contingents at various sports events.
Award Hard to digest for Indian basketball fans
Considering the above established credentials, on paper at least, Mr. Govindaraj appears to be a reasonable choice for winning a Lifetime Achievement Award as a sports administrator in India.
But the Indian basketball community may well disagree, or at the very least ponder as to the timing of this award.
Just four months ago, Mr Govindaraj, in his capacity as BFI President, was selected for the 'President's Award' by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA).
Earlier, in December 2017 and June 2019, Govindaraj also managed to secure powerful positions within FIBA, as a member of its Competition Commission and as a member of FIBA Asia's Central Board.
In all this time, on the domestic basketball front, there have been nosedives in our national teams' performances stemming from controversial player bans, a repeated failure to start basketball leagues at the professional, college and school levels despite multiple promises to do the same, a continued inability to resolve a long-standing funding freeze implemented by IMG-Reliance dating back to 2015, and strategically timed suspensions of voting rights of select State Associations before the all-important BFI National Body General Elections.
Award sends out wrong message
Looked at in isolation, Mr. Govindaraj's latest FICCI recognition will barely come up on the radar of India's sporting community. After all, the real headline-grabbing stars are the actual players who compete day in and day out on the field.
Even when viewed through the larger lens of Mr. Govindaraj's contributions outside of basketball, in terms of promoting overall sports within and beyond Karnataka, this award may barely raise a few eyebrows.
But from the standpoint of the Indian basketball community, Govindaraj's latest laurel raises more questions than it answers. It is indicative of the continuation of a disturbing trend whereby despite a proven track record of failed promises and dubious decisions taken in his tenure that have visibly harmed the sport, Mr. Govindaraj's stock only seems to rise uninterrupted. The FICCI award is yet another sign that Mr. Govindaraj is steadily cementing himself within the national and international sports administrative firmament and may well continue to dictate the fortunes of India's Olympic sports for many more decades to come.
No doubt, Mr. Govindaraj has had a long career as an influential sports administrator stretching back to almost three decades. But simply on the basis of his tenure as the President of the Basketball Federation of India from 2015 to date, this latest FICCI recognition feels undeserved, or at the very least, premature.
Also Read
Tokyo 2020 can provide platform for India's best Olympic performance - Kiren Rijiju
FICCI all set for 9th Global Sports Summit 'TURF 2019'
FICCI to organise its 9th Global Sports Summit 'TURF 2019'
TURF 2019: FICCI all set to organise its 9th Global Sports Summit
FICCI all set to organize its 9th Global Sports Summit 'TURF 2019' Powered by FIT INDIA
Rani and Saurabh honoured at FICCI India Sports Awards
Rijiju expects best-ever haul in Tokyo, but sets sights on 2028 Olympics
Rijiju confident of India's good showing at Tokyo
Sports Minister: 'I will not be satisfied with a couple of medals in Olympics'
Hope Tokyo 2020 will be India's best-ever Olympic performance: Kiren Rijiju
FICCI set to organize 9th Global Sports Summit 'TURF 2019'
Rani, Saurabh win top honours at FICCI Sports Awards
Tokyo 2020 can provide platform for India's best Olympic performance - Kiren Rijiju
Rani, Saurabh Chaudhary bag Sports Person of the Year Awards by FICCI
Rijiju expects best-ever haul in Tokyo, but sets sights on 2028 Olympics
Rijiju confident of India's good showing at Tokyo
Sports Minister Hopes For 'Best-Ever' Performance In Tokyo
FICCI set to organize 9th Global Sports Summit 'TURF 2019'
Rijiju expects the best tour in Tokyo, but has his sights set on the 2028 Olympics
Must ensure India is taken seriously at Olympics: Kiren Rijiju
Rani Rampal, Saurabh Chaudhary Win Top Honors at FICCI Sports Awards
FICCI set to organize 9th Global Sports Summit 'TURF 2019'
Sports Minister hopes for "Best-Ever" Performance in Tokyo, sets sight on 2028 Olympics
Tokyo 2020 is immediate target, Kiren Rijiju says at Global Sports Summit
Union sports minister Kiren Rijiju hoping for India's best-ever Olympic performance in Tokyo in 2020
Kiren Rijiju expects best-ever haul in Tokyo 2020, but sets sights on 2028 Olympics
Kiren Rijiju releases papers on 'Fitness Trend' at the 9th Global Sports Summit
Rani & Saurabh Chaudhary bag sports person of the Year Awards at FICCI India Sports Awards
Rani Rampal, Saurabh Chaudhary win top Honours at FICCI India Sports Awards
Tokyo Olympics 2020: Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju hopes for India's best-ever medal haul at upcoming quadrennial event
Tokyo 2020 can provide platform for India's best Olympic performance, says Kiren Rijiju
Rani & Saurabh Chaudhary bag Sports Person of the Year Awards at the FICCI India Sports Awards 2019
Rani & Saurabh Chaudhary bag Sports Person of the Year Awards at the FICCI India Sports Awards 2019
Odisha receives Best State Promoting Sports award at the FICCI Sports Awards-2019
CCL conferred with 'India Sports Award 2019'
Odisha bags FICCI India Sports Award
FICCI India Sports Award 2019 presented to Railway Sports Promotion Board in the category of Best Company Promoting Sports (Public Sector)
FICCI India Sports Awards 2019 awarded to Railway Sports Promotion Board
FICCI India Sports Awards: Rani, Saurabh Chaudhary Bag Sports Person Of The Year Awards
Rani Rampal, Saurabh Chaudhary bag FICCI India Sports Awards 2019
Rani Rampal: Mental and physical readiness for Olympics priority for Indian team
Focus on fitness and recovery ahead of Olympics: Rani Rampal
Odisha recognized as Best State for the Promotion of Sport at 9th Global Sports Summit
Vedanta bags prestigious ‘Best Organisation Contributing in Sports’ Award At FICCI India Sports Awards
Rani, Saurabh win top honors at FICCI Sports Awards
Odisha, emerged as India's 2019 best state promoting sports
Event:
TURF 2019 and India Sports Awards