The hypocrisy of both the sports and political fraternity in handling recent politicization of sports is rather telling.
Whether it is the International Olympic Committee (IOC) or FIFA; the United States or the Ukranian presidents; the European Union or the upset protesters; the selective outcry is telling.
While sports is all about level playing field, the decisions by both the sports administrators and politicians are looking more and more about self-preservation.
FIFA president Giovanni Infantino was seen wearing a MAGA style cap while attending the Board of Peace meeting, clearly a middle finger to FIFA’s own Code of Ethics.
The decision by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to allow Russian participation is being decried by the same people, who have no objections with Israel being allowed.
When the US invaded Iraq, on the now debunked reason that they possessed weapons of mass destruction, the Americans were not isolated from sports participation. US President Donald Trump is now threatening Iran for similar reasons and in all likelihood if such an invasion takes place, no sports sanctions will be imposed.
They will still co-host the FIFA World Cup this year and the LA2028 Olympics as scheduled.
Seventeen-years-ago, thousands of innocent civilian Tamils were killed by the Sri Lankan army. The Tamil community alleged that a genocide of civilians took place during the civil war’s final stages, estimating that nearly 170,000 people were killed by government forces. UN estimates put the figure at 40,000.
And no, Sri Lanka were never stopped from international sports participation.
Recently Bangladesh refused to play in the T20 Cricket World Cup in India, citing security concerns due to political tensions. The decision was not accepted by the International Cricket Council that eventually saw Bangladesh being replaced by Scotland.
Ironically, when India refused to travel to Pakistan for the 2023 Asia Cup, all matches involving the two teams were rescheduled to be held in Sri Lanka.
When Indonesia refused visas for Israeli gymnasts to participate in their world championships last year, the World Gymnastics claimed that it could not interfere into government policies.
But, Malaysia were stripped of the rights to host the World Para Swimming Championships in 2019, despite Malaysian government’s the exact same policy.
Then there were complaints about how the construction of a major venue for the 2019 SEA Games in Manila was displacing of some 500 indigenous Aeta families.
ASEAN sports and political fraternity were unified in their silence on the matter. No outrage because sports was deemed to be “more important”. Never mind that the Games itself was eventually riddled with funds misappropriation and lavish expenditures.
FIFA awarding Trump with a hastily cobbled up Peace Award is sports politicisation at its unwarranted finest. His warmongering around around the globe and racist stance at home far outweighs his attempt to portray himself as a peace advocate.
The award in plain terms is to mollycoddle a president, who recent policies is threatening the smooth conduct of the World Cup later this year.
Former South African president Nelson Mandela once said that sport has the power to change the world.
“It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does…Sport can create hope, where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination,” he had said.
But the reality in these trying times, with the sports industry generating billions in income, the neutrality of sports is becoming a myth.
The updated Olympic motto – faster, higher, stronger, together – is losing traction, especially with stronger and together being manipulated for self-preservation and the survival of political agenda.
While athletes are told to adhere to the rules and focus on playing the sport, those in power have no qualms on their own blatant politicization of the same sport.
Withdrawing athletes from competition in protest of rivals from estranged countries is tolerated but an athlete taking a knee protesting racism is seen as disrespect to the sport.
International sports federations use political neutrality when it benefits them to avoid engaging in human right issues. But, they have no qualms about closing both eyes when it comes to issues like sportswashing.
The difference is not difficult to ascertain – political mileage and monetary gains.
The late Datuk Sieh Kok Chi, the former Olympic Council Malaysia (OCM) secretary, once told this author that you should not bring a hockey stick to the pitch when you are there to play football.
True. But, the problem now is that sports administrators and political powers are preaching the same to the athletes and the fans, while they themselves are armed with AK-47s and bazookas.
S.T. Arasu is a two-time Malaysian Sportswriter of the Year
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