What's the problem with Indian Sports?
What's the problem with Indian Sports?
Being an ardent sports fan, I have always been disappoited with India's showing in sports on the world's biggest stages - the Olympics and the World Championships. My views and opinions on this...
Problem --
With a population of a billion people, only next to China, India has always shown tremendous potential. But the potential has never been utilized to achieve what has always been eluding Indian sports - a world champion! While small countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Sweden shine in the Olympics, India has always flopped - a billion people and just a silver medal in last year's Olympics! Some might say - it is the enormous population that is the reason simply because the government does not enough resources to provide good infrastructure to a large number of people. Even then, some good sportspersons have emerged - P.T.Usha, Anju George, Malleswari, Beenamol are among a few.
Reasons --
People in large cities, who are well-to-do, are more academic-oriented and see a secure job in a big MNC as their ultimate ambition, whereas, people from poor background who have always shown the eagerness to do well in sports, do not have the necessary monetary help to succeed.
Government allocates huge funds for development of sports but the various different sports committees, with their beaurocrats, gulp the funds. It shows on the lack of infrastructure and training facilties, a main reson for the under-development of sports.
The media has to be criticised for highlighting cricket as the most popular game. That has made advertisers queue up and has left all other sports behind, because no channel would show something advertisers aren't interested to sponsor. A few months back, 'The Hindu', on its front page, showed a picture of a huge cricket bat that aparently set a record for its size...is this really front page news?
Not enough importance is given to sports in most schools. Schools mainly are interested to show good results in the common examinations and do not seem to encourage sports on a high level.
Suggestions --
Encouragement of sports from a young age.
Provision of good infrastructure and training facilities aimed at improving talent.
Knowledgeable coaches and trainers should be appointed.
Other sports could take a cue from the professional way in which cricket is being organised.
More awards and monetary benefits to encourage deserving sportspersons.
Equal importance should be given to all sports by the media.
More corporates should come forward to sponsor other important sports events.
China, apparently identifies talented kids at a very young age, takes them away from their parents and gives them training for many years. They are definitely on their way to beat the United States in the next Olympics in terms of the number of medals, having gone very close to them last year.
Thankfully, Viswanathan Anand, Narain Karthikeyan and Sania Mirza are among the few individuals shining, doing India proud on the global stage but the government and other sports federations in India has to do a lot more if one needs to see India shining a lot better in the world of sports.
Reasons --
People in large cities, who are well-to-do, are more academic-oriented and see a secure job in a big MNC as their ultimate ambition, whereas, people from poor background who have always shown the eagerness to do well in sports, do not have the necessary monetary help to succeed.
Government allocates huge funds for development of sports but the various different sports committees, with their beaurocrats, gulp the funds. It shows on the lack of infrastructure and training facilties, a main reson for the under-development of sports.
The media has to be criticised for highlighting cricket as the most popular game. That has made advertisers queue up and has left all other sports behind, because no channel would show something advertisers aren't interested to sponsor. A few months back, 'The Hindu', on its front page, showed a picture of a huge cricket bat that aparently set a record for its size...is this really front page news?
Not enough importance is given to sports in most schools. Schools mainly are interested to show good results in the common examinations and do not seem to encourage sports on a high level.
Suggestions --
Encouragement of sports from a young age.
Provision of good infrastructure and training facilities aimed at improving talent.
Knowledgeable coaches and trainers should be appointed.
Other sports could take a cue from the professional way in which cricket is being organised.
More awards and monetary benefits to encourage deserving sportspersons.
Equal importance should be given to all sports by the media.
More corporates should come forward to sponsor other important sports events.
China, apparently identifies talented kids at a very young age, takes them away from their parents and gives them training for many years. They are definitely on their way to beat the United States in the next Olympics in terms of the number of medals, having gone very close to them last year.
Thankfully, Viswanathan Anand, Narain Karthikeyan and Sania Mirza are among the few individuals shining, doing India proud on the global stage but the government and other sports federations in India has to do a lot more if one needs to see India shining a lot better in the world of sports.
posted by Lucas @ 7:30 PM
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