Indian GP Will Remain A Dream In Papers

Senthilkumar Rajappan by Correspondent Written on August 24, 2009
SILVERSTONE, ENGLAND - JULY 9:  Narain Karthikeyan of India and Jordan during the practice session prior to qualifying for the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone Circuit on July 9, 2005 in Silverstone, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

According to a report in the Times of India, today the Government of India has rejected the request for transfer of remittance fee to Formula One Management for the conduct of the race by JKSP, saying, "F1 is not purely sports. It is entertainment and this venture by JKSP is a commercial initiative,"

Now that leaves us far behind in terms of appreciating the value that F1 has been able to do commercially otherwise. Let's forget the politics and the insane things about the sport, but what I am not able to understand is the idea that the so called enlightened men in the sports ministry have.

As if they have been doing yeomen service to other sports without politics involved they have taken a moral stand. I quote, "The proposed F1 race does not satisfy conditions which focus on human endeavour for excelling in competition with others, keeping in view the whole sports movement from Olympics downwards."

Now that leaves us with a big question mark. We don't yet know what will happen to an F1 dream that India will always have. This puts a larger question in terms of doing business in India. Even if it was a commercial venture and that someone is willing to do it, what right has the Government got to stop something which is private if they want to call it that?

Add to this, "The basic premise of the ministry is that F1 is not needed in India and the money can be spent on development of disciplines which have a wider base in the country."

I don't know whether to laugh or cry over this. Lets see how they build up other games.

(0)
...
Share This  
Crop_45x45
or to post this comment

3 Comments

There are no comments yet. Get the conversation started by leaving the first comment

Loading more comments...
posted just now
  • Loading...
  • Nobody has liked this comment yet
Cancel

This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete

12
reads

3
comments

written on August 24, 2009 Opinion

The best newsletter on the web

Subscribe Now

We will never share your email address


CBS Sports Official Partner
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Getty Images.
Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Getty Images is strictly prohibited.