'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABQf/2gAIAQEAAAAAkyv/xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAECEAAAAA//xAAUAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/9oACAEDEAAAAG//xAAgEAACAQMEAwAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMEERIABRMyBgdx/9oACAEBAAE/AF9XyvQ4vWUqODycixuWII69rag8VqIoY4+LYGxULdtsuT9OWv/EABYRAAMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACE//aAAgBAgEBPwCjH//EABcRAQADAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAAhH/2gAIAQMBAT8AaGz/2Q=='%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
What's the story?
The 21st edition of the Commonwealth Games will see a new sport making its debut - Beach Volleyball. As athletes represent their nations on the picturesque beaches of Gold Coast, though, India will watch from the sidelines.
Impending court cases involving the Volleyball Federation of India (VFI) has landed them in trouble, resulting in a ban and rendering them ineligible to field a team in both indoor and beach volleyball.
In case you didn't know...
Although beach volleyball will make its official debut in the CWG this year, India is no stranger to the sport. Its origins can be traced back to almost three decades ago when the sport took off in Hyderabad. The city had no beaches but still had a lot of passion for the sport.
The heart of the matter
The reason for the absence of VFI from the CWG can be traced back to 2017. A feud between two rival factions inside the governing body lead the sport in India to a standstill. Consequently, the national team will be unable to participate in the Asian Games.
Coming into 2018, things were looking positive for the sport as the faction lead by Secretary Ramavtar Singh Jhakar claimed control of the Federation and fresh elections were held. However, due to impending court cases between the two factions, the Federation has been banned for a few years and is ineligible to send teams to indoor and beach volleyball.
Om Prakash Bharadwaj, Dronacharya awardee and volleyball coach, claimed that the subsequent situation will affect the athletes. "The life of a sportsman revolves around such competitions. What he will make of his career is decided by these opportunities. To take away such an opportunity from the athletes, it will surely take a toll on them," he told Sportskeeda.
Asked about what they are doing from their side, Bhardwaj stated, "We are trying everything we can. We will try to approach the Sports Minister as well."
What's next?
Currently serving a ban, India's volleyball contingent will be absent from Gold Coast. However, with a massive following, especially in rural areas, volleyball and beach volleyball can still play a big part in the future of Indian sports once the ban uplifts.
Author's take
It's a shame that politics still has a major say in Indian sports. India could have cashed in on the inclusion of beach volleyball in this year's Commonwealth Games. Here's hoping that the court cases get cleared as soon as possible and a new, revitalized Federation can bring the sport back into the fray.
