Being a father of an Olympic bronze medallist Swapnil Kusale, sureshtinjaK located concern on the achievement regarding the reward system as per the hierarchy of other state and Maharashtra state. Suresh Kusale, who hails from Kolhapur, was deeply unhappy with the amount of prize money and the amount of other benefits his son was awarded with after doing really well in the Paris Olympics.
Kusale Swapnil, as one of the five medals earned by Independents, raised a banner to book one of the bronzes in the 50m rifle 3 positions event. Although the government of Maharashtra offered ₹2 crores to Swapnil, this is ridiculous as compared to amounts given by other states, Haryana in particular, his father laments.
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Suresh Kusale brought out the fact that there was a huge divide in how much each state offered its medalists for winning an Olympic medal. It is not surprising that the Haryana government doesn’t take any such disgrace and instead simply rewards each of its Olympic medal winning athletes ₹5 crore.
However, Maharashtra gave roughly 2 crores to its bronze winner which Kusale argued was too little. This highlighted issues of equity and rationality in compensating sportsmen turned politicians representing various states of the country and competing internationally at the highest level and winning medals.
He raised an eyebrow at the criteria quoted by the Maharashtra government, looking particularly at the fact that Swapnil was not just a 72-year-old Olympian for the first time from Maharashtra, but a bronze medalist, which was a sublime achievement and pride for the state as well.
Stated Suresk Kusale, frustration boiled to the limit, his son was victimized because of his poor status in society. He argued that the amount of prize money may pale in comparison with what may be given out if Swapnil was the child of a MLA or Minister. This statement brought forward concerns about discrimination in the determination of who gets rewarded and how social class impacts recognition and support for athletes.
In order to rectify the identified imbalance, Suresh Kusale on behalf of his son made particular complaints. He asked for the reward to be summated at ₹5 crores as opposed to the initial two crores which he applied for, a house near Balewadi Sports Stadium to allow him access to training facilities, and most importantly, the demand for the 50–mitre three-position rifle shooting range to be named after Swapnil who achieved and applied unprecedented feats in the discipline.
Suresh Kusale’s requirements have also brought about debates on the deserving award for the poets or sports medalists and the function of state governments in accord with the sportsmen and women’s achievements. However, the Maharashtra government is yet to make an official statement in this regard, but, it has brought to light the concerns of social justice, accountability, and the acknowledgment of the athletes towards the nation.
