Yet another Olympics is upon us. All the roads in the sports world leads to only one place, Beijing. World Leaders, Statesmen, Politicians, Sportsmen and women are all on their way to the famed ancient capital of the one of the oldest and greatest civilizations of the world.Like all the years India will be represented by some of our finest athletes and sports men and women.There were times when India would stand as one of the top medal grousers in the Olympics.
Now let us analyse what has gone wrong with India over the years? In the last few Olympics, India stood bottom in the medal tally. What is the real reason for this downward swing?
India over the years has produced some really fine sports persons, P.T Usha, Shiny Wilson to name a few. But the real bane of Indian sports is the politicisation of India sports. Sports in India is governed by bodies that has politicians and bureaucrats who sit in the top. These are people who just have no clue as to what they are dealing with? They hardly know even the basics of the games that they are supposed to nurture and bring to the international standard. They see these positions as just a ticket to high life, foreign trips and the accompaning parephernalia icluding enriching themselves in the process.
Those who have taken the sports as a profession does not get any government petronisation. They are forced to live in pitiable conditions ofen having to take up menial work just quench he hunger of themselves and their loved ones. yesterday here was report in one of the malayalam channels about a girl who is part of Indian contingent for the Olympics. But she lives in a broken home with her mother and brother and the government has not even come forward to helping her. It in effect put her in a pitiable condition and acts as a major detterent against her becoming the best in her field. But credit goes to her that despite such adverse circumstances, she has strived to reach the heights that she is now having.
Now what are the possible remedies for this condition? First of all, let us take steps to take the governning bodies from the hands of the politicians and give the power to the sports men who knows the game and who can govern and lead in the development of world class sports persons. Then let us contribute to create world class infrastracture for all the games. We should also strive to make, nurture and grow a new generation of sports persons who shall be provided with world class infrastracture and let them grow unhindered. In sports regional cumpultions has no ground. Only those who excel in sports should be selected and given training. The current practise of "quota of representation" to so much sports persons from certain region of the country should be discontinued. The national games should become the grounds from which the athlets who stand in the top position should be selected and prepared by giving them proper training with adecuate funds for a world class infrastracture and facilities. India which produces world class engenieers, software professionals, scientists and doctors can achieve this target easily. Just remember cricket is not the only game that is played in the world.
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