As Abhinav Bindra was standing on the podium to receive his Gold Medal and all of Indian media was going ga-ga over him, I stood there wondering two questions.
1. Why such a hype over one gold? and on the other hand
2. Does it even matter if we win 1 or 50 gold medals?
In a sense these both questions represents two different thoughts of mine, they are somewhat contradicting to each other.
One thought of mine wants to achieve more and more, wants to be the world's best and want India to be right up there at number one sporting country in the world.
Second one, a little more complex but it is of one which understands the complexities of Sports and wants Indians to play the sport for its love and play it for fun instead of trying to achieve 50 gold medals.
Of course, I am proud of Abhinav's achievement as any Indian would be and I do not intend to take anything away from it. He has worked very hard and he surely deserves a medal for that.
However, why one gold is making such a big noise? Yes, he is first individual Indian in the independent era to win it and the first Indian in 28 years to receive it. Last one was Indian hockey team back at Moscow Olympics.
Are we such poor achievers at sports or as many people think cricket is actually killing all other kinds of sportsmen. But if can produce a Sachin Tendulkar in cricket why can’t we produce world's best in other sports. I think the only reason is lack of interest in Indians towards other sports.
The other question is should it matter? Should we be ashamed that we have only one medal? No, not at all. I think we are free country and our kids decide what to play not based on what their PT Teacher tells them but what they like. In addition, until recent past we were a real poor country. It is only in last 4 or 5 years that we have started to grow and have started to put money into sports. Hope that in a decade we would be far better placed.
I had heard somewhere that in
Would we ever do that to our kids? Or rather, anyone would like that to happen to them and their kids. It is all fine in the name of a country but can a medal in Olympics be above personal choice and love and affection of parents. Is it that important?
As money would pour into sports in
Therefore, my fellow citizens, enjoy, play what you like, have fun, and enjoy your life. Of course, no one denies that when you play something it should be with utmost sincerity and hard work. As 'Steve Waugh' had once said, never give an inch'.
Give your best while playing sports, play to create memories not to win medals. No one remembers who won and who lost but people still remember instances which stick to our heads. Don't we remember Sehwag hitting 6 at 295 more than that the test match was India's first win on Pakistani soil. Don't you remember Leander Paes beating Henri LeConte in Davis Cup semi finals over who did he beat in Olympic QFs. That is because these instances would remain with us becuase they entertained us not becuase who won or who lost.
Play fair, Play hard, Play to enjoy and Medals would come automatically.
Few things about sports that have always surprised me:
1. Why most team sports are more attractive to us than individual ones?
2. Do Democracies play more team sports? Is it true or just my perception. Look at US, Australia, England etc. Team sports are far far more famous than lets say Athletics, Gymnastics or Swimming.
One question I have never ever understood,
3. Why do Indian do well in Sports which are expensive? Cricket, Tennis, Golf, Shooting. We are a poor country with lots of open spaces and 1 billion people. Why don't we excel in Football (Soccer) or just long distance running.
Any answers?
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