Even as the controversy surrounding India's Sports Minister Vijay Goel is still ripe, Haryana's Anil Vij is on his way to Rio for the closing ceremony.
PTI
Well, guess what? The man's trip is costing a staggering Rs 1 crore. Also with him are 8 others who have nothing to do with sports.
They are leaving for Brazil on August 14. The 9 of them have booked tickets for the closing ceremony which costs Rs. 90,000 each. This means almost 9 lakhs spent just for a glimpse of the grandeur.
PTI
As many as four business class tickets have been booked - one for Vij, two for MLAS and one for KK Khandelwal, Additional Chief secretary, sports.
The irony is that while such a huge amount is being spent by on the visiting contingent, Indian athletes get only 3 paise per day spent on them on an average! Yes, you read that right.
A report by a Parliament panel reveals that the Centre and states together invest only 3 paise on a person per day for sports and that this is costing India medals at the Olympics.
AFP
India has just 9 gold medals of which 8 have come in hockey. Only Abhinav Bindra in 2008 won outsole gold in an individual sport (shooting).
The US spends a whopping Rs 22 a day per person, the UK spends 50 paise and Jamaica 19 paise.
This shows why Indian athletes are lagging behind on the world stage. Change is required if things are to get better.