A country as large as India flops at Rio The first accusation is India a Country with 1.2 billion populations fails miserably at Olympics. In fact it has gone down in medal tally. Then the question is the population the key to performance at Olympics?
Nobody relates this postulate to cricket, when only 11 players out of 1.2 billion persons make up the team? The problem that diet and infrastructure , Govt support is at the core of the malaise is also doubtful hypothesis, Cricket is religion in India and it is private organizations that funds the campaign and cricket bodies provide the support, not the Govt. The campaigns on cricket because of funds available are massive that blindfolds the followers into believing, as the only sport in India, How much rigorous training, continuous practise is needed in cricket in comparison to the other sports? Remember that competition at International level is not as fierce, since only few Nations participate in cricket . Beside the cricketers enjoy star status, because of payment, publicity and adoration's. Just ask the present athletes who have shined at Rio, It is the family support, personal ambitions, determined preparation, sacrifices that have seen them through, No doubt if Govt support was extended to them the outcome would have been better The Nation needs to understand how other Nations that have won the competition spend time effort, resources to come up to the expected standards of qualifying for medals and act accordingly, instead of being supper sensitive to reasonable suggestions Bestowing awards post the events is not the solutions; It would have been much wiser to bring out in details, the efforts, sacrifices of the winners, to serve as an inspiration and motivation. The stories of misuse of official machinery, position, resources at olympics in making a living are pathetic and therein lies the rot. The families want to secure the future of their children through good education and are willing to go to any length to achieve this objective Parents will not invest in sports, for their experience is otherwise in making a living or a career The large Indian contingent in many fields of sports discipline was a welcome sign of participation at a good level, But the competition in comparison to the other participants need to be evaluated and addressed, The inputs in many a sports are too costly and standard of training facilities are wanting with poor infrastructure, The Govt support can no doubt fuel the efforts of participants by providing incentives and infrastructure facilities, Catch them young is the slogan and diversify interests at school level in varied sports discipline., India was known to dominate only in Hockey over the years, but now we are struggling, Shaina Newal , Sindhu, Bopana, ShainaMirza, Paes among others have broken into the highly exclusive club and all of them have been supported by their families, which means deserving cases need to be encouraged by Govt, efforts. Having a sport Ministry has not produced desired results because of beau racy, red tape in comparison with USA having no sport Ministry and support from private bodies and some smaller,less advanced Nations have registered their presence prominently. Olympic meet and winning is the National pride and every Nation wishes to be seen excelling in the field of chosen sport, India cannot be seen as lagging behind Nelson Lopes chinchinim
