Tag: India At Olympics

खेल अधिकारी सोचते हैं कि उनकी जिम्मेदारी सिर्फ दफ्तरी घंटे पूरे करने से ख़त्म

‘Sports Authorities Must Come Out Of The 9-to-5 Work Culture’

By LokMarg

Prateek Pandey, a national level wrestler from UP, feels sports bodies need to identify and nurture talent at the grassroots level to fulfill the country’s Olympics ambitions. His views:

As far as India’s track record in the Olympics goes, it does not have much to boast about. In our past 104 years of participation, we have cumulatively won only 41 medals; we have only won 10 gold medals and this includes eight in Team Hockey.

No doubt the in the past 10 years, the central government has opened its treasure trunk (finances) in the training and infrastructure of sports in the country but despite all its initiatives like ‘Khelo India’, University Games etc., the real talents is yet to be tapped thanks to the age-old election and selection procedures. Our sporting authorities have a lethargic attitude that is still believes in 9-to-5 job cultures with Saturday-Sunday off.

If you actually need to reach out to the talents at the grassroots where there is potential to win medals, my first suggestion is to form a committee that comprises not just government officials but also specialist sportspersons. The members of this committee should not only sit in their AC offices but go out in the field, the rural and the sub-urban areas of the country to hunt for the talent.

The red-tapism which exists in the entire government machinery must be rooted out. In a recent report titled ‘Let’s Play’, the NITI Ayog spelt out some recommendations including targeting tribal and village talents, including sports as a subject in school curriculum, recruitment of world class coaches and trainers and improving sports infrastructure through public private partnerships. No doubt these recommendations are superb, but they can only reap results when they come out of the files and are put to actual work.

ALSO READ: ‘Out Focus Is Only On Cricket, Not Olympic Sports’

The second and most important support system to bring out talents is the infrastructure. Though the efforts of this government in the past 10 years is really laudable, the on ground reality is yet to see the light of the sun. Though regional stadiums and sports facilities are taking shape at a fast pace, I can name a number of such centers/facilities where the infrastructure (sports equipment) are still locked in go downs waiting for the files to pass on. This is, in a way, not only hampering the training programs but also demoralizing for many youths.

Another important aspect of the sports and athlete infrastructure in the existing grievance redressal mechanism for the sportsperson. For example, if an athlete has any grievance related to the procedure or the selection of any sport, he/she needs to follow the same redressal line and eventually reaching out to our age old judicial system. Such long and hectic are the procedures related to games, that the sportsperson is either surrenders or his/her age surpasses the age limit meant for the particular sports. This needs to be addressed and rectified at the earliest.

For India sports means cricket and cricket means sports – unlike countries where Olympic sports are an integral part of the social fabric, India also needs a cultural shift to prioritise and celebrate a diverse range of sports.

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As told to Rajat Rai

राजस्थान के गांवों की बेटियाँ भी ओलिंपिक मैडल ला सकती है

‘Gritty Rural Girls Can Win Olympic Medals But Our Focus Is Only On Cricket’

By LokMarg

Vikram Singh Rajvi, a football coach in Rajasthan, says we idolize only cricket stars and then shamelessly expect other athletes to win Olympic Medals. His views:

I must begin with the historic victory of Rajasthan girls at the Junior Girls Football National Championship recently. This win is a testament to the grit and determination of young athletes from rural India, as 12 of the team members come from a small village named Dheengsari in Bikaner.

However, while we celebrate this victory, the irony of our country’s larger sporting scenario strikes me. We are a nation of 1.4 billion people, yet we couldn’t secure a single gold medal at the Paris Olympics. How is it that a country with such a massive population, rich in diversity and talent, is not a global sporting powerhouse? Why are we still not a sporting nation in the truest sense?

The answer, perhaps, lies in our collective obsession with cricket. Cricket is a game played by just a dozen countries, yet it dominates our media, our investments, and our national psyche. Meanwhile, sports like football and hockey, which are played by over a hundred countries and have deep roots in our history, struggle for attention. It’s disheartening to see the disparity in the support these sports receive. Cricket stars are household names while our hockey and football players toil away in relative obscurity.

My father, who captained the Indian football team and saw firsthand the potential our country has in this sport, started the academy from his savings. He provided everything for the children, from shoes to bandages. He faced resistance and ridicule, but his determination never wavered. Today, that same grit is reflected in these girls who come from extremely humble backgrounds. Many of them are daughters of farmers, laborers, and shepherds. Despite the societal and economic challenges, they face, they have pushed forward with relentless determination.

ALSO READ: ‘Look Ma, How They Stole My Medal’

The problem isn’t a lack of passion or talent. Rajasthan’s rural areas are brimming with potential, but there are several hurdles these kids have to overcome before they can shine. The biggest issue, even today, is financial. While these girls work hard on the field, their nutrition suffers. A sportsperson requires a specific diet to perform at their best, but many of these girls don’t have access to the right nutrition. The economic challenges their families face are severe, and without support, it’s difficult for them to meet the dietary needs of a growing athlete.

This is where the government and private sponsors need to step in. We desperately need more support to provide these athletes with the resources they need. Equipment, training facilities, and most importantly, proper nutrition—these are essential. If we can’t provide our young athletes with the basics, how can we expect them to compete on an international stage?

There is no shortage of talent or passion in this country, but until we invest in sports beyond cricket and build an infrastructure that supports all athletes, we will continue to struggle. We need to celebrate and invest in sports like football and hockey, played by so many worldwide. Only then can we hope to become a true sporting nation.

The narrator is the son of former Indian Football Team captain and Arjuna awardee Magan Singh Rajvi. He is also the designated coach of Rajasthan junior Girls Football Team.

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As told to Deepti Sharma