Are Our Eyes Fixed On The Prize?
Like everyone else I was awake at 1:00 in the morning to see its grand opening. Why not? After all it comes once in four years and there has been frenzy since the year began about who would be representing our country? And it’s the Olympics from crying out loud; the most awaited event that takes four years of preparation, billions of dollars out of every country’s pocket to just host the event.
The Olympics 2012 opening ceremony was spectacular as anyone would have thought it to be. But as the days are graduating, I happen to have a sinking feeling about the event and the level of confidence from our country. With China bagging in most of the medals and USA winning almost every competition, I really feel disappointed that an Indian representative or team is being knocked out as we read this. As a common Indian spectator who watches the games on TV, I’m just saddened.
Just to be clear, I really am not disheartened by the level of participation India has shown. I am amazed we have teams for rifle shooting and archery teams. I was happy to see our hockey team fight the good fight and compete well rather elegantly. But what was putting me on the off was to see the level of preparation these players have had. And it really made me think –does our country do enough to help them stand tall? I mean; does it do justice to the sportsman spirit at all?
Seriously, just think about it! There are numerous sportsmen in the country not only on the national platform but many more that are promising athletes. They might be available at the state or even at the local level. But are these promising stars given enough support so that they can be nurtured, coached, trained and be polished so that they can reach a stage where they can be finally sent to represent our country.Take a look at the statistics and while our country is going gaga over the bronze won in shooting, which we all are thankful for as it seems to the saving face for the hour. But there’s no one who could compete in sports like swimming or handball? I know we have talented people in our country who are equivalent or even better than the finest. Unfortunately they are not given a chance.
When it comes to representing our country in the field of Sports on the international front, we really haven’t gained many brownie points. What is even more frustrating is the response we get from media, government etc on the lack of preparedness on behalf of the players. We can blame the players all we want but can we ignore other facts. Maybe it’s just the attitude we carry and the respect for other sports. When the case of Santhi Soundarajan hit the media for the treatment she got after winning a medal for the country at the Asiad’s, what is one to think of?
Sports are not a field that can thrive all on its own. In order to ensure our potential sportsmen shine there has to be support from every side. They need better facilities, better resources to train and coach and most of all a lot of support from the government for finances and scholarships. I don’t believe all sports are made a priority at all. We only know “Cricket” as sports. That’s every galli- mohalla, society, township; school and state has a team of its own.
What about football, swimming, running, archery, tennis, gymnastics and our own very hockey? Why don’t these sports share the same glory in our country? May be it’s time for not only our government; but also the private sector to pay attention to other sports as well. The hunt for sending the best footballers selected to be trained at the Manchester’s United is a fresh and welcome move. It’s not everyday you see an initiative taken to nurture other sports. We indeed are not devoid of sportsmen, but we really lack the sportsman spirit if we all are to accept that we ever want India to bag in big prizes.
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