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Is there a Spartacus out there? Among the IPL gladiators?

The irony is that film stars 'own' the team – i.e., the players!

 Our sports icons are now like gladiators. May be, not so brave.

 In awe and with fluttering hearts they mix with the glamorous stars of the show business and real business.

 Occasionally they remember: Hey boy! This one really owns me, my God! What have I got into?

 The gladiator partying with his owner!

 They do it, not because they always like to party after a bad defeat, but so be it, it is part of the deal, you know.  It is the new Compulsive Relaxation Therapy, prescribed by the IPL. Partying in prescribed doses is a lot more than mere fun.

 Also, it is good to party if the defeat was, perhaps, well and truly expected. May be, even anticipated. You know why! No rewards for guessing! If still in doubt, ask your bookie.

 It just happens that the celebrations get a bit wilder when the results go against the odds! In this format of the game, both losers and winners can rejoice! It is a great game, come on. Play hard. Party harder! Winning a match isn’t all that important.

 So what am I driving at? Nothing, really! May be, getting to be a bit jealous.

 It is all part of IPL. One celebrity owns another! All the owners of T20 gladiators are not known. It is the celebrity owners that matter. Be enthralled by the bright stars; don’t search for the hidden dons.

 But forget that. To many sports fans, it is not nice to know that their sports icon is now owned by one glitterati or another – no matter who.

 They were icons. Yes, without all the moolah and the hype. They were great national and international players. And they will be icons, so as long as being a national player remains the cherished dream of even the poorest kid.

 The sports icons are revered for their game and sportsmanship; not for their net worth.

 It will be better if the sports icons take a real good look at where all this is headed. At least the seniors cutting across all teams must take a lead to stem the rot. Restore sports to its real glory and pride.

 We have not forgotten the ruckus over ICC contracts. That wasn’t too long ago. Come IPL and not a word of dissent. Why deafening silence? Why the tame acquiescence?

 May be, the IPL gladiators must find a Spartacus amongst them to break out of being owned and manipulated by dubious owners. They must rise above the murky deals and shady games.

 The real rebellion to clean up the mess must come from the players. We cannot expect reform from the shady administrators who are completely entangled in multi-layered conflicts of interests.

 Is there a Spartacus out there in the IPL arena? Don’t forget - there is no moolah in IPL sans the great sports icons! Someone has got to call the bluff.
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Unknown said…
See Prsad's cartoon in Mail Today on 23rd April.
April 24, 2010 at 8:22 PM
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