Abhinav Bindra Says Government Should Not be Involved in Sports

Olympic medallist Abhinav Bindra on Sunday said government should not be in the business of sports as it's neither their job nor can they do it well. (Abhinav Bindra Resigns from Government's Target Olympic Podium Scheme)

"The government should really not be involved in the business of sports because it's not their job. They can't really do it well," Bindra said at a session on sports at the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet (TSKLM) here. (Abhinav Bindra To Skip Asian Olympic Qualification Shooting Event)

"The government is doing whatever they can do. They have their own way of functioning, audits, accounting processes which takes time and unfortunately all athletes do not have time. Funds should come when needed. It is not the ideal situation."

On whether things have changed in the last six-seven years, he said "we have made progress."

"The government has increased funding. For example shooting gets more funding and rightfully so because we have won medals," he said.

Bindra recalled that when he was in the sports committee, one of the politicians said the age limit for the president of sports body should be increased to 95.

"I do not have any problem with that if politicians want to stay but we should have paid CEOs running the bodies professionally," he said.

'Ready For Rio'

Bindra added that he was hopeful of winning a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

"I am working hard. Leaving for Germany in a couple of days. I would be competing there," Bindra said.

He said the tournament in Germany, where he had gone to train himself last year, would help him prepare for Rio. "I am preparing well and in a good space at the moment. I am putting my best foot forward," said Bindra.