It's not a dire situation yet, but the dwindling number of athletes from Kerala in India's Olympic Games contingents shows that the growth of athletics in the state, which was once a track-and-field powerhouse, has certainly hit a disheartening flat line.

These numbers will summarise the situation before the deep dive: India's athletics squad for Paris Games has 29 members (18 men and 11 women). Kerala will be represented by four members — Muhammed Anas, Muhammed Ajmal, Mijo Chacko Kurian (all men's 4x400m relay), and Abdulla Aboobacker (men's triple jump).

In the Tokyo Olympics, Kerala made its presence through Yahiya, Noah Nirmal Tom, Alex Antony, KT Irfan, MP Jabir and Murali Sreeshankar in the track and field events.

The state had better representation at the Rio Games in 2016 through Anas, Jinson Johnson, T Gopi, Jisna Mathew, Tintu Luka, OP Jaisha and Renjith Maheshwary.

Along with the diminishing overall numbers, a close look will reveal another anomaly — a female athlete from the state is not a part of the Indian squad for the second successive Olympics.

It's a downfall for the powerhouse that produced some iconic names such as PT Usha (now Indian Olympic Association president), Shiny Wilson, Anju Bobby George, Rosa Kutty, Mercy Kuttan and Bobby Aloysius among others.

"It’s a matter of concern that the current Indian contingent does not have too many names from Kerala, especially women. It reflects the way athletics, and sports in general, is being treated in the state by the officials," a veteran administrator said.

"Whenever an athlete from the state does well in an international competition, our politicians and other officials will make grand announcements. But there are hardly any follow-ups," said the administrator.

A decorated veteran athlete echoed that sentiment.

"It is true. Action never really follows those promises. We have the example of (VK) Vismaya in front of us. She is running pillar to post to get the promised government job."

Vismaya held off the then world champion Salwa Nasser to win the 4x400m gold at the Jakarta Asian Games in 2018. She was pledged a job by the state government then, but it's yet to materialise.

Vismaya could not be contacted for the latest update about her job status.

However, Hima Das, MR Poovamma and Saritaben Gayakwad, the other 4x400 relay team members, got jobs and other cash awards as per the promise made by the respective state governments.

"If a gold medal winner in the Asiad has to wait over five years to get a promised job, then you can guess the fate of other lesser-known sportspersons," the athlete said.

However, Kerala State Sports Council (KSSC) president U Sharaf Ali said the delay was not deliberate.