The Gymnastics Federation of India (GFI) is facing significant financial difficulties ahead of the 2024 national gymnastics competition, scheduled to take place from December 25 to January 4 at Surat’s Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Indoor Stadium in Gujarat. This event, which will include competitions in artistic, rhythmic, and trampoline gymnastics across all age groups, is expected to attract over 1,600 competitors. However, despite the scale of the competition, the GFI has struggled to secure sponsorship for the event.
Nearly eight years after Dipa Karmakar, India’s Rio Olympian and Asian Games medalist, garnered international attention for her remarkable performance at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Indian gymnastics has yet to secure consistent support from sponsors. While Karmakar’s fourth-place finish in the women’s vaulting event in Rio gave Indian gymnastics a significant boost, the sport has not maintained the level of backing it once had, and the GFI has been left grappling with financial constraints.
According to Kaushik Bidiwala, Secretary of the Gujarat Gymnastics Association and treasurer of the national body, the lack of sponsors has made organizing the national competition an extremely challenging task. As of November 15, the GFI had not secured any sponsorship, and although they reached out to the Gujarat state government for assistance, they have yet to receive a response.
Due to the absence of sponsors, the GFI has instructed state units to ask players to pay for their meals and accommodation during the competition. The circular issued by the GFI on October 23 directed affiliated state units to manage these costs, but many state associations have been forced to pass the financial responsibility onto the athletes themselves. In many cases, players have been asked to pay for these expenses in order to compete at the national level, although local organizers sometimes make arrangements for accommodation when possible.
In addition to paying for meals and accommodation, competitors will need to pay a registration fee of Rs 4,500, which should be deposited into the Gujarat State Gymnastics Association’s account. An additional entry fee of Rs 1,000 will also be required, along with a license fee of Rs 1,000 per competitor, payable during the national meet.
This competition marks a significant moment for Indian gymnastics, as it will bring together athletes from various disciplines in a single venue for the first time, making it an important event in the lead-up to the National Games, which are scheduled to take place in Uttarakhand. The competition will also serve as a selection process for the national team heading to the National Games.
The current situation reflects the struggles faced by Indian gymnastics, as it has been unable to build on the success of athletes like Dipa Karmakar, who retired recently, and Pranati Nayak, who represented India at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Despite the presence of talented gymnasts, there has been no Indian gymnast who has secured a continental quota to compete at the 2024 Paris Olympics, a clear indication of the lack of investment and support for the sport in the country.
The financial challenges faced by the GFI highlight the pressing need for greater sponsorship and support for Indian gymnastics to help the sport grow and thrive on the international stage. Without adequate funding, it will be increasingly difficult for the GFI to provide the necessary resources and infrastructure for its athletes, who continue to compete despite limited backing.
