The globalization and internationalization of sports are not new to this world. Ever since the participation of international sports person has been introduced in Greek Olympics, the phenomena have started taking shapes. Then the globe has seen the diversity and changes in the entire scenario when even the Olympics were started to held at different places of the world, making sports an international and global achievement. These improvements in the sports culture have made significant impacts over the economies of the participating countries. In today’s world, it is common for countries and states to organize different kind of sports related events in order to get huge income from round the globe. National organizations are now linked with the international ones and everyone tries to ensure that it gets the maximum of contracts and events. Although competing each other is a good thing on the whole; there are some discrepancies associated with the entire global sports system. With invoke of new and modern technologies, it has now become easier to predict about the end of game. Betting system which is usually associated with Horse Race only, has now jumped into other games too. More recently, we have seen match-fixing and spot fixing events in cricket, with the combined effort of bookies and players involved. Hence for some more bucks, the players not only risk their careers but also bring shame for their home countries and cricket lovers.
The confused and bewildered Indian media reported that some Australian players from the team may also be involved in the game, naming Shaun Tait repeatedly. As a result, the Australian media replied with the same anger and ultimately BCCI has to clarify that no Australian player is found guilty and they all are clear. However, they might be questioned about their fellows as all of them were from the same team. The Australian media has also reported that for Rajhistan Royals’ management, it was a complete surprise that three of its players were taken into police custody. However, according to them, they are ready to cooperate with the investigation authorities with their full extent. The Daily Telegraph highlighted some of Rajhistan Royals’ management’s statements, in which they have denied to know about anything on the prior basis as they were simply ‘taken by complete surprise’ (Conn, 2013).
On its May 24th edition, BBC news has highlighted the sentiments of Rajhistan Royals’ fans. Although they seemed depressed and helpless, there is an air of nationalism amongst them. They were not ready to quit their players for this very reason; as for them, this can happen anywhere with anyone. Being such a huge, multicultural and multinational event, this could be expected from IPL. Cricket is a game of life and death for the people of subcontinent, and they cannot be repelled from it because of such small incidents. One of the former sports managers from Indian cricket has said that this is not a new thing; bookies try to grab players in every era and try to find those weak players who can do what they say. It is not wise to expect honesty from everyone and as the number of players increase in an event, so are the chances of match and spot fixing. The fans of Rajhistan Royals said that they will support their team in any case and would not back out from it. Hence on one hand, there is a huge number of protestors against those players who are involved in the game, while there are the supporters who feel that everything is possible in India and there is nothing new which has happened (Majumder, 2013).
Earlier in August 2010, three Pakistani cricketers were caught and banned to play for their links with the bookies and to make deliberate no-balls. The entire international media, particularly the Pakistani media has been asking for the same trial and punishment for the three Indian cricketers as was awarded to the Pakistanis. Because of the close relationships which BCCI and ICC experience, the ICC is not involving itself in the entire matter, stating that BCCI is handling the matter successfully and if found necessary, only then ICC will charge the accused. However, in the case of Pakistani cricketers, ICC never asked PCB and did all at its own. India has a major influence in international communities and economies and for this purpose; the Indian cricketers have been released on bail and are not charged for their wrong deeds. This global political scenario is dangerous for sports and must be avoided, otherwise biasness and preferences will certainly put a question mark over the credibility of international sports events and organizations (Ishtiaq, 2013).
Works Cited
Conn, Malcom. Aussies cleared of IPL spot-fixing but more arrests expected. (May 18, 2013). The Daily Telegraph. Web. July 3, 2013. <http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/aussies-cleared-of-ipl-spot-fixing-but-more-arrests-expected/story-fni2fnmo-1226644851295>
Ishtiaq, Saim. Spot-fixing: Why the double standards for Indian players? (May 18, 2013). The Express Tribune. Web. July 3, 2013. <http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/17342/spot-fixing-why-the-double-standards-for-indian-players>
Majumder, Sanjoy. India IPL cricket fans despair over spot-fixing claims. (May 24, 2013). BBC News. Web. July 3, 2013. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-22637059>
Mole, Giles. IPL spot-fixing: Shanthakumaran Sreesanth insists 'I am innocent' as Bollywood actor arrested by Mumbai police. (May 24, 2013). The Telegraph. Web. July 3, 2013. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/twenty20/ipl/10072706/IPL-spot-fixing-Shanthakumaran-Sreesanth-insists-I-am-innocent-as-Bollywood-actor-arrested-by-Mumbai-police.html>
