Formula One is not a sport says sports ministry.

fordperfect · 25th August 2009, 02:07

Formula One is not a sport, says Sports ministry - Top Stories - Racing - SPORTS - The Times of India

Formula One is not a sport, says sports ministry
Alok Sinha, TNN 25 August 2009, 12:28am IST
NEW DELHI: It's a letter which is likely to create a huge debate in sports circles and rattle the motorsports fraternity.

According to sources, the ministry of sports in January 2009 wrote to JPSK Sports, the promoters of Formula One in the country, that their request for getting approval for remittance of $36.5 million (about Rs 177 crore) to be paid to Formula One Administration (UK) for holding an F1 race in India had been rejected on the grounds that "it (the race) would have no impact on the development of sports in the country".

JPSK had first gone to the Reserve Bank of India, which asked them to get the ministry's approval.

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, ministry sources said.

"F1 is not purely sports. It is entertainment and this venture by JKSP is a commercial initiative," said a ministry source. In fact, the letter states that F1 will not have an impact on Indian sports "in terms of either participation, broad-basing or promotion of excellence".

"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," said the source.

Sameer Gaur, MD, JPSK confirmed to TOI that their request had been rejected by the sports ministry.

Nikhilb2008 · 25th August 2009, 10:20

God bless India! India Shining.

blacmagic · 25th August 2009, 10:25

utter nonsense! if this logic is applied faithfully, the BCCI should be sent packing before anything else.

sgiitk · 25th August 2009, 10:35

Maybe they think it is a tamasha (spectacle). It did look like that for quite some time this year!

myavu · 25th August 2009, 10:39

When are we going to get some one with little sense in our ministry?

So it means, China, Bahrain, Abhudabi, etc are not making anything out of F1?

The recent Singapore night race is a joke?

OH GOD I am fed up. It's been a long time hearing about India F1 GP. Earlier 2009, then 2010, then 2011, then???

This is ridiculous

Shan2nu · 25th August 2009, 10:43

Why is India after F1 so much? Why can't they try n get WRC here.

Afterall, we've got the largest collection of rally roads. And the government will have a good reason not to pave them. LOL

Shan2nu

s.prashanth · 25th August 2009, 10:55

If it is so, so are boat racing and above all Horse racing, Chess

theMAG · 25th August 2009, 11:04

Bollocks. I would like to see some shining examples of "regular sports" development in the country other than cricket - which developed by its own.

Aditya · 25th August 2009, 11:08

These ministers should be put through the fitness regime that racing drivers go through. Then put them in a racing car and let's see how long they are able to take the pressure and stress.

prince_pervez · 25th August 2009, 11:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shan2nu

Why is India after F1 so much? Why can't they try n get WRC here.

Afterall, we've got the largest collection of rally roads. And the government will have a good reason not to pave them. LOL

Shan2nu

He hehe that was frekking hilarious. Made my day.

condor · 25th August 2009, 11:09

Stop Cricket, I say. It's just one big tamasha now.

madan80 · 25th August 2009, 11:26

ask them to name the sports that we have, and im sure the list wont go beyond cricket! its the one sport thats killed ALL the other sports in the country.

finneyp · 25th August 2009, 11:29

What is Cricket then?

With the advent of 20-20 & IPL, it is less of a sport, more of entertainment & played purely for commercial interests!

greenh0rn · 25th August 2009, 12:07

Guys please understand where the ministry is coming from. They define a sport as such when many people can participate in it. And just how many people get to race a F1 car? Even Cricket for argument sake can be easily played by anyone who is keen to play - you don't need a stadium (think gully cricket), fancy/expensive equipment (anything resembling a bat and ball will do) etc. For that matter, take any regular, normal sport, even rally sport for an extreme case. Many people can rally their car, but just how many can race a F1 car? At the end of the day, F1 is a spectator sport at best, not a sport in the true sense of the word.

Having said that, the ministry, after all, exists for the promotion of all sports. They could easily leverage F1's charisma and appeal to earn enough to be able to spend on other sports.

Roy.S · 25th August 2009, 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordperfect

....had been rejected on the grounds that "it (the race) would have no impact on the development of sports in the country".....

It is in fact the sports ministry that has no impact on the development of sports in the country.

25th August 2009, 02:07	#1
fordperfect Newbie Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: New York Posts: 11 Thanked: 2 Times	Formula One is not a sport says sports ministry. Formula One is not a sport, says Sports ministry - Top Stories - Racing - SPORTS - The Times of India Formula One is not a sport, says sports ministry Alok Sinha, TNN 25 August 2009, 12:28am IST NEW DELHI: It's a letter which is likely to create a huge debate in sports circles and rattle the motorsports fraternity. According to sources, the ministry of sports in January 2009 wrote to JPSK Sports, the promoters of Formula One in the country, that their request for getting approval for remittance of $36.5 million (about Rs 177 crore) to be paid to Formula One Administration (UK) for holding an F1 race in India had been rejected on the grounds that "it (the race) would have no impact on the development of sports in the country". JPSK had first gone to the Reserve Bank of India, which asked them to get the ministry's approval. 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, ministry sources said. "F1 is not purely sports. It is entertainment and this venture by JKSP is a commercial initiative," said a ministry source. In fact, the letter states that F1 will not have an impact on Indian sports "in terms of either participation, broad-basing or promotion of excellence". "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," said the source. Sameer Gaur, MD, JPSK confirmed to TOI that their request had been rejected by the sports ministry.
	() Thanks

25th August 2009, 10:20	#2
Nikhilb2008 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 5,196 Thanked: 10,138 Times	God bless India! India Shining.
	() Thanks

25th August 2009, 10:25	#3
blacmagic BANNED Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 221 Thanked: 12 Times	utter nonsense! if this logic is applied faithfully, the BCCI should be sent packing before anything else.
	() Thanks

25th August 2009, 10:35	#4
sgiitk BANNED Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,969 Thanked: 4,788 Times	Maybe they think it is a tamasha (spectacle). It did look like that for quite some time this year!
	() Thanks

25th August 2009, 10:39	#5
myavu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Delhi - Kochi Posts: 1,503 Thanked: 1,732 Times	When are we going to get some one with little sense in our ministry? So it means, China, Bahrain, Abhudabi, etc are not making anything out of F1? The recent Singapore night race is a joke? OH GOD I am fed up. It's been a long time hearing about India F1 GP. Earlier 2009, then 2010, then 2011, then??? This is ridiculous
	() Thanks

25th August 2009, 10:43	#6
Shan2nu Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Hubli - Karnata Posts: 5,533 Thanked: 125 Times View My Garage	Why is India after F1 so much? Why can't they try n get WRC here. Afterall, we've got the largest collection of rally roads. And the government will have a good reason not to pave them. LOL Shan2nu
	() Thanks

25th August 2009, 10:55	#7
s.prashanth BHPian Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: bangalore Posts: 365 Thanked: 85 Times	If it is so, so are boat racing and above all Horse racing, Chess
	() Thanks

25th August 2009, 11:04	#8
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	Bollocks. I would like to see some shining examples of "regular sports" development in the country other than cricket - which developed by its own.
	() Thanks

25th August 2009, 11:08	#9
Aditya Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 17,845 Thanked: 77,082 Times View My Garage	These ministers should be put through the fitness regime that racing drivers go through. Then put them in a racing car and let's see how long they are able to take the pressure and stress.
	() Thanks

25th August 2009, 11:09	#11
condor Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Speed-brkr City Posts: 15,864 Thanked: 16,017 Times View My Garage	Stop Cricket, I say. It's just one big tamasha now.
	() Thanks

25th August 2009, 11:26	#12
madan80 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 1,360 Thanked: 80 Times View My Garage	ask them to name the sports that we have, and im sure the list wont go beyond cricket! its the one sport thats killed ALL the other sports in the country.
	() Thanks

25th August 2009, 11:29	#13
finneyp Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 2,716 Thanked: 319 Times View My Garage	What is Cricket then? With the advent of 20-20 & IPL, it is less of a sport, more of entertainment & played purely for commercial interests!
	() Thanks

25th August 2009, 12:07	#14
greenh0rn BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: New Delhi Posts: 427 Thanked: 149 Times	Guys please understand where the ministry is coming from. They define a sport as such when many people can participate in it. And just how many people get to race a F1 car? Even Cricket for argument sake can be easily played by anyone who is keen to play - you don't need a stadium (think gully cricket), fancy/expensive equipment (anything resembling a bat and ball will do) etc. For that matter, take any regular, normal sport, even rally sport for an extreme case. Many people can rally their car, but just how many can race a F1 car? At the end of the day, F1 is a spectator sport at best, not a sport in the true sense of the word. Having said that, the ministry, after all, exists for the promotion of all sports. They could easily leverage F1's charisma and appeal to earn enough to be able to spend on other sports.
	() Thanks