The first-ever Kabaddi ‘World Cup’ was organised by the Punjab government last year with the aim of weaning away the youth of the state from drugs and intoxicants. Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal had given a clarion-call in this regard. However, the Sports Department had no compunction while accepting money from nine distilleries in the state.
The latter donated money for the “noble cause” without getting any advertisement space in return. Nine distilleries, including Khasa distilleries and Chandigarh distilleries (Rs 12.50 lakh each), Pioneer Industries, Jagatjit Industries, Patiala distillery and Malbros International distillery (Rs 7.50 lakh each) and mount Shivalik (Rs 4.59 lakh), N V distillery (Rs 1.25 lakh) and Norway Organic Naturals (Rs 1.25 lakh) powered last year’s Kabbadi World Cup held in April by sponsoring Rs 62.45 lakh in cash.
Punjab Kabaddi Association President Sikander Singh Malooka sees no harm in accepting money for sports from liquor distilleries. When contacted, the minister said even if a distillery had sponsored the event, it had nothing to do with the sporting activity. Malooka however claimed the sponsorship was solicited at the government level and that the association did not have anything to do with it.
State Sports Secretary P S Aujla maintained that the distilleries only sponsored part of the total money (Rs 5.66 crore) spent to host the cup. He said there was no bar on distilleries from sponsoring sporting events as long as they did not display any advertisements that they did not. However when asked why the distilleries would sponsor the Kabbadi Cup when it was clear that they would not get any advertising space he said “they are clever and intelligent businessmen. They did it for goodwill”.
According to information
received under the RTI Act by social activist Charanjit Bhullar, besides liquor companies’ real estate companies were also at the fore in sponsoring the event. Real estate companies gave a total sponsorship of Rs 1.69 crore, with the principal sponsor Pearls India giving Rs 1 crore. Others including Omaxe, Preetland and Malhotra land developers gave Rs 9 lakh each and Ansal Lotus Rs 8.82 lakh.
The information given by the Sports Department also revealed that the tournament organising committee had sanctioned Rs 4.89 crore for the same but that the budget overshot by Rs 1.21 crore. Popular singers were paid as much as Rs 89 lakh to regale the audience, North Zone Cultural Centre Rs 57 lakh and comedian Bhagwant Mann received Rs 15 lakh for his ‘live’ commentary. In comparison, technical assistants were paid Rs 91,000.
Meanwhile, after splurging money on the Kabaddi Cup last year, with Rs 4.96 lakh being spent on fireworks alone, the government is planning an even bigger cup in October this year. The number of participating countries has gone up to 12 and all matches at the 12 venues (earlier eight) will now be held in floodlights. The Deputy CM has in a recent meeting doubled the prize money for the winning team to Rs 2 crore, while the runners-up will get Rs 51 lakh and the team placed third gets Rs 25 lakh and the fourth ranked team Rs 20 lakh. All participating teams have been assured Rs 10 lakh each.
Sponsors of ‘happy hours’
Khasa distilleries and Chandigarh distilleries (Rs 12.50 lakh each), Pioneer Industries, Jagatjit Industries, Patiala distillery and Malbros International distillery (Rs 7.50 lakh each) and Mount Shivalik (Rs 4.59 lakh), N V distillery (Rs 1.25 lakh) and Norway Organic Naturals (Rs 1.25 lakh)
