Mr Veerappa Moila is thinking, wah maine kya teer maara... What a cool and intensely topical analogy I've come up with to justify OBC reservations: In a note circulated during the committee’s meetings, the implementation of the proposed quota system is compared to the zonal representation practised by soccer’s governing body, FIFA.
"If one were to go by the FIFA world-ranking, the top 32 teams would have qualified for the World Cup.
However, FIFA has established a qualifying format based on reservation that enables nations from all continents to play at the highest level," Moily told TOI...
Sounds good at first hearing but let's see what would happen, if FIFA were to implement quotas following recommendations of the Mandal Commission...
"An expert committee has noted that in the last 76 years, India has not been represented in the finals of the FIFA World Cup. This is a gross injustice considering that we represent 16.66% of the world population.
Europe's 47 countries with a population of just 726 million (12.1% of world population) corner an astounding 14 of the 32 coveted berths (43.75%). Moreover the 'brahmanical' South Americans - with around 6% of the world population get 15.6% of the berths in World Cup finals.
What's more, we are a country where football has been systematically and historically discriminated against by higher caste sports - namely cricket.
India should therefore be granted a reserved seat in the FIFA World Cup. Even if Japan defeats us 7-0, the fact that we are a backward football nation should be taken into account and we must be given our due.
In case people feel this will lower the standard of the tournament, and start protesting, the solution is to increase the number of berths in the World Cup finals from 32 to 48. This way merit need not suffer.
India should also get an automatic berth upto the quarter finals, taking into account it is a FBC (Football Backward Country). Even if this means we get beaten 29-0 by Brazil, it will be a great step forward for football and backward country rights.
After all, what is merit - it is countries who have football academies which groom talented young people. Obviously, we who have no such 'coaching' cannot compete with them..."
OK, I can go on and on but you get the picture.
The right way for India to qualify is to raise its standards in football, then compete against Asian nations in qualifiers, win those matches and make it to the finals. Where again we must compete against others on a level playing field.
I mean, sure, over the years rules have been changed - the original 16 country finals was modified to 24 countries in 1982 and then 32 in 1998. Essentially to allow more teams from Africa, Asia and North America to take part.
However, population is not the criteria for the 'quotas'. And countries must compete keenly with each other in regionals and finals. No one gets extra penalty kicks for being 'weak' but deserving. Rules of the game remain same for all.
So if we are to follow the FIFA model, there can't be reservation at post-graduate level.
And of course my arguments aren't perfect. Feel free to pick holes... but Mr Moily, remember you can't use an analogy selectively - where it suits you. And coolly wriggle out where it doesn't.
