印度板球：即將舉行的選舉的政治戰場

印度的板球運動已與政治糾纏在一起，有人指控執政的印度人民黨利用其受歡迎程度來獲取選舉優勢。印度人民黨與印度板球控制委員會（BCCI）的密切關係引發了人們對政府乾預這項運動的擔憂，批評者指責該黨利用板球作為政治工具來增強其權力。

Cricket in India: A Politically Charged Game

印度板球：一項充滿政治色彩的運動

In the upcoming six-week-long general elections in India, cricket, a beloved sport, has become intertwined with political agendas, raising concerns about its exploitation for electoral advantage.

在印度即將舉行的為期六週的大選中，板球這項深受喜愛的運動已與政治議程交織在一起，引發了人們對板球被用來獲取選舉優勢的擔憂。

BJP's Dominance and Control

印度人民黨的統治與控制

The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has established a close relationship with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Critics allege that the BJP has sought to co-opt cricket as a tool to outmaneuver political opponents.

由總理莫迪領導的執政黨印度人民黨 (BJP) 與印度板球控制委員會 (BCCI) 建立了密切的關係。批評者稱，印度人民黨試圖利用板球作為戰勝政治對手的工具。

"The sport is used as a vehicle for a muscular nationalism," opined veteran cricket journalist Sharda Ugra. "Control is exercised not only through the presence of senior officials connected to the ruling party but also through the strategic use of Indian cricket to convey political messages."

「這項運動被用作強健民族主義的載體，」資深板球記者沙達·尤格拉（Sharda Ugra）表示。 “控制不僅通過與執政黨有聯繫的高級官員的存在來實施，還通過戰略性地利用印度板球來傳達政治信息。”

Political Ties and Influence

政治連結和影響力

Connections between the BJP and the BCCI run deep. BCCI chief Jay Shah is the son of Home Affairs Minister Amit Shah, Modi's right-hand man. Arun Dhumal, chairman of the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL), is the brother of Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, another former BCCI head.

印度人民黨和 BCCI 之間的聯繫根深蒂固。 BCCI 主席 Jay Shah 是莫迪的得力助手、內政部長 Amit Shah 的兒子。阿倫·杜馬爾 (Arun Dhumal) 是利潤豐厚的印度超級聯賽 (IPL) 主席，他是 BCCI 前主席、體育部長阿努拉格·塔庫爾 (Anurag Thakur) 的兄弟。

"The current BCCI is the first Indian cricketing administration wholly controlled by a single political party, not merely a group of politicians," Ugra remarked.

尤格拉表示：“現任 BCCI 是印度第一個完全由單一政黨控制的板球管理機構，而不僅僅是一群政客。”

Exploitation and Interference

剝削和乾擾

Critics like Gideon Haigh, a cricket writer for The Australian newspaper, have condemned the BJP's "shameless self-interest" in using cricket to further its political ambitions. "Cricket is just one of many institutions it has captured, though it is the most meaningful to the most people," Haigh said.

《澳洲人報》的板球作家吉迪恩·黑格等批評者譴責印度人民黨利用板球來推進其政治野心的「無恥的私利」。 「板球運動只是它所佔領的眾多機構之一，儘管它對大多數人來說是最有意義的，」黑格說。

The BJP's influence extends beyond appointments. In December 2022, following the BJP's victory in Rajasthan state elections, a minister's son assumed control of the state cricket board. In New Delhi, the capital's renowned stadium was renamed in 2019 after a deceased BJP stalwart, Arun Jaitley, whose son now heads the Delhi cricket board.

印度人民黨的影響力不僅限於任命。 2022 年 12 月，印度人民黨在拉賈斯坦邦選舉中獲勝後，一位部長的兒子接管了邦板球委員會。在新德里，這座首都著名的體育場於 2019 年以已故印度人民黨堅定支持者阿倫·賈特利 (Arun Jaitley) 的名字重新命名，他的兒子現在擔任德里板球委員會主席。

Symbolic Gestures and Political Messaging

象徵性手勢和政治訊息

During the 2023 ODI World Cup in India, Modi's presence at the final in the world's largest cricket stadium, named after him, was seen as a symbolic gesture. A home victory would have undoubtedly bolstered national pride ahead of the elections, but India's loss did not diminish Modi's post-match visit to the dressing room to embrace the team.

2023 年印度 ODI 世界盃期間，莫迪出現在以他的名字命名的世界上最大板球場的決賽中，被視為一種象徵性姿態。主場勝利無疑會在選舉前增強民族自豪感，但印度的失利並沒有削弱莫迪賽後前往更衣室擁抱球隊的熱情。

His message, captured by cameras, was "It happens... Keep smiling, the country is looking up to you."

他的訊息被攝影機捕捉到，“它發生了......保持微笑，這個國家正在仰望你。”

Visa Challenges and International Concerns

簽證挑戰和國際擔憂

Concerns have also been raised regarding India's denial or delay of visas for Pakistani players and fans during the tournament. Other players with Pakistani heritage have faced similar visa issues during India tours. The BCCI remained unresponsive to requests for comment from AFP.

人們也對印度在比賽期間拒絕或延遲向巴基斯坦球員和球迷發放簽證表示擔憂。其他具有巴基斯坦血統的球員在印度之旅期間也面臨類似的簽證問題。 BCCI 仍未回應法新社的置評請求。

Financial Power and Global Influence

金融實力與全球影響力

Cricket is a highly lucrative business in India, with an estimated revenue surpassing Bollywood's. The IPL is the world's wealthiest cricket league, and the BCCI's enormous wealth and reach allow it to exert influence within the sport's global governing body, the International Cricket Council (ICC).

板球在印度是一項利潤豐厚的行業，估計收入超過寶萊塢。 IPL 是世界上最富有的板球聯賽，BCCI 的巨大財富和影響力使其能夠在這項運動的全球管理機構國際板球理事會 (ICC) 中發揮影響力。

According to a 2018 ICC study, over 90% of cricket's global fanbase resides in the Indian subcontinent. Despite rules prohibiting government interference in cricket boards' operations, the ICC has remained silent on India's actions.

根據 2018 年國際板球聯合會的一項研究，全球板球球迷 90% 以上居住在印度次大陸。儘管規則禁止政府乾預板球委員會的運作，但國際刑事法院對印度的行為保持沉默。

Capture of the ICC

佔領ICC

Modi's inauguration of the eponymous 132,000-seater stadium in Ahmedabad in 2020 was attended by then-US President Donald Trump. The ICC's failure to address this blatant political display at a cricketing event has raised questions about its independence from the BCCI.

2020 年，時任美國總統唐納德·川普出席了莫迪在艾哈邁達巴德為擁有 132,000 個座位的同名體育場舉行的落成典禮。國際刑事法院未能解決板球賽事中這種公然的政治表現，引發了人們對其獨立於 BCCI 的質疑。

Local Sentiment and Public Image

當地情緒與公眾形象

Despite the political controversies, cricket remains a beloved sport in India, capturing the hearts and minds of millions. The BJP's efforts to align itself with cricket may resonate with some voters, who see it as a symbol of national pride and unity. However, critics warn that the exploitation of cricket for political gain ultimately undermines the integrity and spirit of the game.

儘管存在政治爭議，板球仍然是印度一項深受喜愛的運動，俘獲了數百萬人的心。印度人民黨與板球結盟的努力可能會引起一些選民的共鳴，他們將板球視為民族自豪感和團結的象徵。然而，批評者警告說，利用板球運動獲取政治利益最終會破壞這項運動的完整性和精神。