It’s pay-to-play in Delhi cricket

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Virender Sehwag with the winning team of an U-14 cricket tournament, Washington Falcons, at the Jamia Milia Islamia ground in th

India’s cricketers are a hit with corporates who are keen to associate with them even at local events and tournaments. However, the benefits of the sponsorship monies do not always bring cheer to aspiring cricketers at the ground level.

At a recent junior tournament promoted by an India player in the capital, the 12 clubs/teams were charged participation fees of `4,000 per player (`44,000 per team), which is high compared to other top competitions. Sources reveal that the event boasted of five to six sponsors, many of whom have been associated with the player in the past and would have generated considerable revenue.
“This was a no-profit, no-loss tournament with every player getting to play 11 matches. They also got kit and coloured clothing. Even when the players play friendly matches at their respective clubs, they have to shell out to play. The coaches of the participating teams were very happy and we will try to reduce the fees from the next year onwards,” an official of the event organisers told this paper.
A club has to shell put anything between `5,000 to `25,000 to participate in local tournaments and the burden ultimately falls on the players’ families.
The picture is similar at most local tournaments in Delhi, including the some of the better-known ones as they increase the participation fees almost every year despite attracting good sponsorship money.
“The entry fee these days is anywhere between `5000 to `25000 and it is tough for the old clubs because there is no recovery and mostly there are knockout events. At least the long-running tournaments should not do this,” said the coach of a well-known club.