Today I came across the tweet of the central sports minister Ajay Makken. He tweeted, "When F1 is flagged off; as Sports Min I am laying foundation stone for 5cr synthetic track at P.T.Usha's academy in Koyilandi near Calicut."
I don't know, in what prospect, he came out with this words. Whether it was born out of his gladness to take part in the Usha school ceremony or the grief of not getting invited to the Indian GP. Anyhow, it made me think, in fact rethink, some of the matters that have been cliched with repeated discussions.
If you ask in which sports India has got an identity, then first answer would be cricket. Chess, Shooting, Badminton and a few more can be added to it. But still, considering the multisports events, it is terrible to see our standings. A country with a billion people, India is. Yet, what we got in the last Olympics were a gold and two bronze. When the countries with one-tenth of our population returned with pride, we were standing with 3 medals. Taking football or tennis into account, the things are not very much different. Once we were the kings of hocky, and now struggling to win a game. The people can blame the athletes, the easy thing to do. But, thinking from the side of the athletes, I cant. The most encouraged sports here are cricket and now F1. Badminton too, since there is one Saina Nehwal. Who sponsors these ? Mainly corporates. Because these sports have good market value. How many of these firms come forward to sponsor athletes and others. Only a few, since there can't be expected profit. The soul of sports is getting swallowed by the business interests. After getting fame with their talent, the athletes will find a queue of sponsors. He then has a brand value. But before that he/she is discouraged or even humiliated everywhere. The governments are little different. Who should be changed ? What should be changed ? How should be changed ? Tough questions hanging over there. The attitude of all, I think. First we have to learn appreciate and encourage. Before blaming the sportspersons, we have to look into the facilities and support they get. They should be given the facilities to improve their talents. If the government had put the same amount of effort they took in facilitating the F1, in sponsoring and encouraging the other sports, we wouldn't have had to bow our heads. It is the sports of common people that need support not the sports of corporates or the sporting events born out of business interests. The system need some overhaul, as we know and say. But the initiative is important. I hope that there will be a few brave enough to take the initiative and lead the rest.
