BIG STAR: What all you need to pay for if you invite Sania as a chief guest; apart from fees
SANIA MIRZA was invited to be the chief guest at an annual sports awards function held by the Madhya Pradesh government, but she had to be dropped after her team informed the government of all that needs to be provided for the star to make an appearance.
Sania's absence created plenty of buzz and if sources are to be believed, certain demands of the World No. 1 doubles player were not taken into consideration. According to a report published in The Indian Express, Sania asked for a make-up kit worth Rs 75,000 and a chartered plane.
The report also goes on to say that the demands were made by her personal assistant after the invitation was accepted. As for the event, it was rescheduled to Tuesday (originally slated for Saturday) and the chief guest was former badminton player and present coach, P. Gopichand.
According to the MP sports minister, Yashodhara Raje Scindia, they were in touch with Sania for few months, but received the list of demands just four days before the function date.
The minister told The Times of India: "I respect her talent and she has undoubtedly made India proud at international platform but her demands were unacceptable. She wanted MP government to arrange Rs 75,000 worth make-up kit and a chartered jet with five business class tickets. When I asked her manager that Sania is not a Bollywood star and she was invited to motivate budding players, her reply was that even Sania is a big star today."
The minister said that they couldn't give in to the demands because, "we are accountable to public money. We can't spend money on anyone's personal make-up kit."
If the sports department is to be believed, the demands made on Sania’s behalf included the make-up kit, a chartered plane to ferry her to Bhopal and back, and five business class tickets for her assistants. It’s unclear how much money she demanded as fees.
“We pay for economy class air ticket, accommodation in a star hotel and local transport,’’ a sports department official is quoted as saying in the Indian Express report.
There has been no clarification from the tennis player till now. Sania, who has had a stellar year in 2015, is currently in Japan playing for her team Indian Aces in the second edition of the International Premier Tennis League (IPTL).
Whether Sania Mirza deserves all this may be debated. But how about our politicians? What have they achieved to deserve VVIP treatment?
— Bianca Verma (@bianca_verma) December 3, 2015
I am surprised that MP Govt even considered Sania Mirza for award function. And Makeup Kit? She is actress or sportsperson?
— Srini (@srinivasrc) December 3, 2015
With her demand for make up, Sania Mirza has now qualified to join #BiggBoss
— Krishanu (@itzKrishanu) December 2, 2015
Joke is not on Sania Mirza who asked Rs 75000 makeup kit in return to be chief guest, joke is on MP who dumped her for being too expensive 😂
— Real Zaid Hamid (@RealZaidHamid_) December 2, 2015
