It was a conclusion foretold that in the 30th
Olympics now going on in the historic city of London, India would emerge poorer
as far as the medal tally was concerned. Now that the Olympics is nearing its auspicious
completion, while China, America and England are poised to come out in flying
colours, India will have to bid farewell with four or five bronze medals and
one or two silver. A gold medal seems to be a golden dream now that those from
whom we expected gold have either ended up with bronze while a few ended up with
nothing.
While our neighbouring country China is certainly to emerge
top with as many medals in its kitty, we the Indians are surely to emerge under
dogs.
The entire blame for this pitiable state rests upon the Centre
primarily and the States secondarily. Dirty politics has sneaked into every
sphere our country that except treating everything as money spinning machines, even
sports is no exception while China, England and America earmark huge sums in
their budgets for the healthy growth of sports with far-sightedness. Government
of India earmark peanuts for the ‘healthy growth’ of sports and sports persons.
It is utterly deplorable that even the basic infrastructure facilities are
practically nil, you might think I am exaggerating, a fact is a fact, is a
fact. Except in the field of cricket which has almost turned out to an industry
where crores accumulate, where cricket players are blessed with all sorts of
facilities. I mean crores of money, not only for the BCCI but also by
industrial barons and if a player is supposed to be lucky to be a part of a
team in a Test, One day match, Twenty20, he becomes either a lakhpathy or a
crorepathy overnight and an instant fame. We have witnessed, still witness
hundreds and hundreds of cricket fanatics, both males and females irrespective
of their age running gaga after them, kind of idol worships I would say and
even vie with each other atleast to get an autograph signed by the cricketers,
thus getting blessed by the cricket gods.
Except cricket, other games like hockey - it is our national
game - football, badminton, shooting, archery, wrestling, a variety of sports –
not much care or encouragement are provided. And if any credit goes to their
account without much encouragement, care and inspiration it is because of individual
excellence. Like in China or America or England if our sports persons too are
extended all facilities like scholarships, synthetic tracks, acclaimed coachs, allocate
enough funds for each sports, India too will certainly come out on top.
Politicians but play a nasty game, by not providing them with such advantages
they, by acting as godfathers allegedly take all advantages for themselves. If a
day dawns on Indian sports and sports persons, the day the politicians are kept
away from sports, that day should be written in golden letters. Government’s
role should limit itself to allocating necessary funds, that is a responsibility
on its part and keep away from the whole affair instead of appointing
corruption-ridden politicians from various parties and if the concerned community
of sports persons led by veterans and exceptionally talented coachs the whole
scenario would change for the better.
This time so far four medals are credited to our account,
two or three may also get credited, that is the end of all. Except one silver
bagged by Vijayakumar in shooting, others Gagan Narang, Mary Com and Saina
Nehwal had to satisfy with bronze.
One person though was awarded a bronze, yes, it is Saina
Nehwal, the joy, spirit and celebratory look couldn’t impress me as a sports
loving citizen as she got it by default. The Chinese badminton player who was
her opponent for the fight for bronze after winning the first match, had to
withdraw due to injury and that was a blessing to Saina. If after playing all
sets Saina had got the upper hand, we people would have been overwhelmed with
joy.
Winning by default is not a big thing to invite adulations,
applauses and celebrations. Saina should have taken this fact into account while
jumping with thumping heart forgetting the surroundings. Anyhow we can derive satisfaction
that this girl might one day reach the top of the world by continuing to practice
more vigorously and with more enthusiasm under an eminent coach like Pullela
Gopichand.
Dreaming is nobody’s monopoly, hence let’s dream a day would
come when India too comes to the top with its flag flying high.
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