WHAT ARE THE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN UP TO HELP INDIA GROW AS A SPORTING SUPERPOWER?.

India is a cricket loving nation. Though hockey is our national game, we consider cricket as our favourite sport. Every child playing on the streets wants to play like Sachin, bowl like Kumble, field like Mohammed Kaif. When it comes to wicket keeping, they want be like Dhoni. People of all age groups play cricket. But in contrast, we have neglected other sports. In most countries around the world, tennis and football is dominating. There is a lot to be cultivated in India, when it comes to sports. I would like to stress on the current status of sports in our country, impact of cricket, reasons for neglecting other sports and recent developments.

When you speak of sports in India, cricket is the only sport anyone can speak about. People who are considered uneducated also love the sport. People who claim to have no interest in cricket are considered less than an illiterate group. There are few who though, who don’t have interest in cricket, claim they have interest and forcefully watch the match to discuss about the event with people around them. Students make use of cell phones to catch the updates about cricket. People driving back home call and ask the score or watch through the windows to see the score on T.V placed inside a shop. Such is the craze of people in India about cricket. When India wins, celebrations are everywhere and when it loses there are only demonstrations.

When it comes to athletics, people are hardly interested. There are fine athletes in India. People hardly know about them. When the Indian team went to Beijing to participate in Olympics, except for Sania Mirza, people didn’t know how many of them represented the event. It was actually when Abhinav Bhindra won a gold medal; people came to know about him. Till then, they were not aware that he had participated in Olympics three times and represented our country in shooting category at a very young age. No one had a clue about two participants in Boxing until Vijender Singh won a bronze medal for India. Why is this bias? When we can remember list of cricketers who have played the game since 50 years, why can’t one at least know how many athletes participated in a major event like Olympics?

The reasons for giving more preference to cricket are many. But, the most predominant factor is the sensation created by media, especially the visual media. There are many commentators giving their opinion, asking questions, announcing prizes for various reasons. That apart, the investments or funds for other sports are less in the country. A cricketer earns in six digits sooner than a talented athlete who has strived hard to achieve his goal. So, naturally one could choose a cricketing career than athletics.

                                                                             

          Recently, the Olympics concluded. China, not just showed that it is a sporting super power but it also showed what is the strength and commitment that it has towards sports. Everyone appreciated the concept of  the ‘ Bird Nest’  stadium use of technology, execution of work and conclusion, The Olympics chairperson not just appreciated China but he went on to congratulate them in the local language and said it was the best Olympic event he had seen so far. When it comes to Commonwealth Games held in India, controversies poured in from every quarter. The commitment constituted to make the event successful itself was charge sheeted for carrying out misdeeds. People lost hope about the ability of our country to host such big events.

   India has produced a handful of athletes in the past. They have turned out to be highly successful and have held the tri-colour flag high. P.T Usha, Karnam Malleshwari, Anju Bobby George, Vishwanathan Anand, Prakash Padukone and few others who have done exceedingly well.

It means, India is not lacking in sports. Instead, there is less encouragement given to sports persons. So, the focus should be on creating opportunities for individuals and encouraging them.

     Indian Government in the recent past has taken initiatives to encourage sports persons. People are coming up in every sporting field. Now more action needs to take place. The Government can take some of the measures;

1.     Providing financial support for budding sportspersons.

2.     Encourage children to take part in the sports of their interest and conducting competitions to bring out their talents.

3.     Encouraging media and spreading awareness about the measures taken to encourage sportspersons.

4.     Impartial nature should be adopted while selecting the candidates. Corruption should not take place in sports.

5.     Sports are seen as a medium to give up the difference of opinion between two nations. Thus, sports events can be held to combat growing difference of opinion.

6.     Rigorous training and support should be provided for sportspersons.

People have also starting recognizing the sportspersons. Parents are now encouraging children to pursue their dreams in sports. The recenlty concluded Common Wealth Games is the best example for this. India stood second in the number of medals and thus, proving it as a sports loving nation. If serious steps are taken, there is no doubt in my mind about India becoming a sporting Superpower.

ESSAY SUBMITTED BY: VINAY KASHYAP

                                                    IInd B.Sc ‘A’ (PCM)