Organized Sector

Come Olympics, and the national pastime becomes cribbing about our past and current inadequate performances in the global arena in the field of sports. Everybody keeps throwing the figure about 'India being a nation of 1 billion people' and not able to win even a single gold medal. Various reasons are discussed in the media and in the public, apparently people find that Indians aren't competitive enough, do not have killer instincts, no national pride and some go as far as having found weaknesses in the genetic makeup of Indians.

 

I believe the real reason is people's attitude and spirit towards sport. The sportive spirit is just not there.

 

People crib a week before and after Olympics then everything is forgotten and we get on with our lives. Our attitude towards  sports is zilch. The fact of the matter is significant percentage of that billion lives, live below the poverty line and there are far more pressing needs to be met than find glory in sports.

 

The other criticism is about goverment not doing enough to promote sports (the government is in no position to adequately govern the country, where would they have time and energy to spend on sports).  Somebody had said, 'A country deserves the politicians it gets ....'.    It certainly is true, after all we are a country practising democracy to a very large extent. If we were so serious about sports, the people would elect and encourage such a government in the first place.

 

I would also like to extend and say that  -  'A country deserves the politicians, entertainers and the sportsperson it gets.' 1000 movies a year and none of them really significantly different from the other, well if the audience doesn't like 'song and dance' routines and triangle love stories, they would stop going to theatres, and no one would make such movies if there aren't any takers. But the fact of the matter is that we are watching such movies, so such movies are being made. We are content with our cricketers being second best to Aussies, so the cricketers would continue to be content being bridesmaid and not attempt to be the bride.

 

The real reason lies somewhere between people's attitude and their elected representatives organizational zeal. Sports is not an organized sector in our country.

What is requiresed is an active participation from the people and then demand the government with the needs for that sector. I believe, the day it becomes an organized sector, there will be a marked change in the fortunes of the country in the arena of sports.

 

I also believe, that we do very well in 'Individual sports' and not 'Team sports'. We seem to be doing well in Cricket, but then we have to remember that there are only 8 countries who are good in the game of cricket and within that 8 we are somewhere in the middle. We have won gold in Hockey, but then that was in an era when Skills were enough to win sports, it isn't any more.There are lot of motivated individuals who have the ability to bring glory to themselves and in the process to the country.

 

If the parents are serious about wanting their kids to excel in sports, I am sure no parents would leave any stone unturned. Parents do go out of the way to ensure that their childrens gets admitted in the Schools/College they think is the best. After all, the parents do their best to shape up the minds of their wards, to what they think is the best for them. The idea and the moot question is - Do we really want it ?