Children across the world are being used as “ball boys”,  in most of the sporting events especially in the course of popular games like tennis and cricket.
The teens run across the tennis courts like slaves helping their masters. They collect balls when hit by the cricketers for boundaries ( fours and sixes), despite the fact that the fielder reaches it at the very same moment. And the need for the ball boys gets nullified instantly.
There are laws in all sporting countries which identify the nature and form of child labour. And if seen with a right perspective, then ball boy culture tantamounts to child labour.
But irony of the fact is that the sporting bodies and even the parents think that it is the lifetime opportunity for the child to be in direct touch with the world class players which in the bargain,  polishes his sporting abilities.
Yes, that is absolutely right to be in direct contact with the sporting legends is of course a lifetime opportunity for any budding sportsman aspiring to become the best in the game.
But couldn’t we think of much better and dignified way for these tiny toddlers, to be in a direct contact with their playing icons and ideals.
The answer is yes we could.
We could send special invitations,  on behalf of the management and authorities,  to children on a rotation basis and make them special guests to watch the game with honour and dignity.
Arrange luncheon parties wherein players and budding aspirants could interact and talk on various aspects of the game at length.
Invite playing legends to different sporting academies for training the  teenagers.
Arrange easy visits of young players to different countries to learn the basics of the sport which is the main sporting event of that particular country.
Leave the job of ball boys to the players in the second line of the selection waiting to be inducted in the future team lineup. At least they would be in the later part of their teen age and more close to maturity.
“Catch them young”, can be yet another excuse of some of the sporting bodies and extra aspirant parents and I am in agreement of that. But we can catch them young in all sorts of other more dignified and encouraging ways.
Not as “Ball Boys”.
I think the issue of ball boys needs to be debated and resolved in the right earnest.
* Give children opportunities.
* But with dignity and honour.
* Ball Boy renders his job with utmost interest and involvement, thinking himself of being at the top of world.
* He is tender and innocent.
* We can find ways to put him at a better place more encouraging and  motivating for him.