the headline is misleading!!
I assumed that meant people are now engaging in more sporting activities.
It seems their enthusiasm is perhaps like that of Americans towards American
Football -- let others slug it out - you just get happy watching from the
sidelines.
Umesh
PS: I'm sure there is more to it than was reported by the newspaper. The
worldclass archer and women weightlifter are a tip of the iceberg of the
potential of the region.
Ram Sarangapani <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
Same newspaper, but quite a different take - and more refreshing.
--Ram
GUWAHATI, Feb 12: The 33rd National Games in Guwahati has triggered a sports
revolution in Assam with people in their thousands flocking to the various
stadiums, a feat that has surprised athletes from across the country.
"The enthusiasm of the locals here is simply amazing. The spectators do not
know us, but still they have been encouraging us as if we are participants from
the home team," Richa Mishra, a swimmer from Delhi who won four gold medals at
the meet, said.
The 10-day mega sports extravaganza began on Friday; the mood in Guwahati was
upbeat. "For us all the players are the same. We are here to enjoy and be part
of this great festival of sports," said Ajana Saharia, a housewife who came
with his two children from Rangia, about 70 km from here.
Most of the venues are packed to near capacity with people starting the Mexican
waves in events like football and athletics.
"It feels great when you perform before a big crowd. The response here in
Guwahati is simply unbelievable," said K J Vijila, a sprinter representing
Madhya Pradesh.
In the evening, the main Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium turns into a sea of
humanity with the old and young jostling for space to glimpse some action or
shake hands with the athletes.
"It is heartening to find people turning up at the National Games venues.
Normally one finds people crazy for cricketers," an athlete from Tamil Nadu
said.
Games organisers are enthused by the response. "The National Games has sparked
off a sports revolution in the state," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said.
In the sprawling Games Village, the mood is equally charged with a daily
cultural evening with songs and dances - players also breaks into a jig away
from the sporting arenas.
"The setting is brilliant and we are all enjoying every bit of our stay here,"
B N Shivakumar, a gymnast from Andhra Pradesh, said.
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Umesh Sharma
5121 Lackawanna ST
College Park,
(Washington D.C. Metro Region)
MD 20740
1-202-215-4328 [Cell Phone]
Ed.M. - International Education Policy
Harvard Graduate School of Education,
Harvard University,
Class of 2005
weblog: http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/
website: www.gse.harvard.edu/iep
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