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The Indian cricket board’s swift and substantial payment of Rs 125 crore to the T20 World Cup champion team is a statement made by the BCCI that winners are ‘honoured promptly and generously’. This ‘win and get paid handsomely’ approach underscores the country’s recognition and reward of success over the years.
However, India’s poor performances in ICC events in the past decade or so reveals a defeatist mentality among the Men in Blue, raising the question: what if we pay our athletes before they win a title?
Providing upfront payments or top-ups for preparation to selected players for marquee events could perhaps boost morale and improve performance during the competition. Perhaps, paying them early may work to get consistent wins. This concept mirrors the entrepreneurial model of seeking sponsorship or crowdfunding before achieving success. Once a venture succeeds, money flows in, as it does with the Indian cricket team.
While there may be public backlash if a cricketer receives substantial payments before an event and then fails to perform, it still acknowledges the competitiveness. In India, there’s a concern that well-paid athletes may not perform to their full potential. Changing this culture to provide financial support from the board beforehand could help produce more powerful champions.
This proactive investment in an athlete’s preparation might lead to more success at the highest levels. Shifting to a model where players are paid before competing, encouraged to prepare well, and then rewarded further after winning could revolutionize Indian sports. Such a change could ensure that financial support is available when it is most needed, potentially leading to a higher level of performance and more frequent victories.
