Tag: Olympic Sports

‘Cricket In India Has Completely Eclipsed Other Forms Of Sports’

By LokMarg

Utkalika Priyadarshini, a shot-put athlete, rues that cricket dominates everything — from the headlines, the screens to the public conversations. Her views:

As a former shot-put player, I have lived through the quiet struggles of athletes whose dreams often do not see the light of day. I have felt the weight of being overlooked, not because of a lack of effort or talent, but because the sport I loved did not have the audience in India on the scale that cricket does. And it makes me wonder — why don’t exceptional athletes like shooter Manu Bhaker or chess player Tania Sachdev get the recognition they deserve?

India is changing, no doubt. We have started paying attention to sports other than cricket, and the infrastructure is improving. But the change is painfully slow, especially for those of us who have watched promising athletes fall through the cracks. Cricket dominates everything — the headlines, the screens, the conversations. You can feel the buzz when IPL is on, like the whole country is wrapped up in the game. It’s exciting, surely, but it leaves little room for other sports.

Manu Bhaker, for instance, made history with two individual Olympic medals. That’s a massive achievement, yet her name is not celebrated the way it should be. Why? Because shooting, as a sport, still struggles for recognition in India. Similarly, Tania Sachdev’s brilliance in chess doesn’t spark national pride the way a cricketer’s century does. Chess is often dismissed as a “mental game” — impressive, but not thrilling enough to capture hearts the way cricket does.

ALSO READ: ‘Cricketers Must Learn To Digest Success, Glamour’

A big part of this problem is the lack of regular media coverage. Cricket is everywhere, every single day. Other sports only get a moment in the spotlight when there’s a big win — and even then, it’s fleeting. Growing up as a shot-put player, I remember how hard it was to find stories about athletes like me. We had to dig for inspiration while cricket stars shone brightly on every platform.

Then there’s the infrastructure and funding. Cricket gets the best facilities, year-round tournaments, and endless sponsorships. It’s a privilege no other sport in India enjoys. I still remember training with outdated equipment and feeling frustrated that our potential was limited not by our abilities, but by what we lacked.

There’s also a mindset issue. Shooting, chess, and even sports like field athletics are seen as niche or elitist. They’re not “fun” or “relatable” for most people. But that’s not true. Every athlete has a story — of struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs — and those stories deserve to be told.

What hurts the most is that athletes like Manu and Tania pour their hearts into their sports, representing the country on global stages, yet they remain invisible to many. It’s not that cricket shouldn’t be celebrated — it absolutely should. But why can’t we celebrate them all?

India is more than just cricket. It’s a country with immense talent across a spectrum of sports. And if we truly want to be a sporting nation, we need to start paying attention. Not just during the Olympics, not just when there’s a medal but every day. These athletes deserve more than applause; they deserve our pride.

As told to Deepti Sharma

‘Sports Other Than Cricket Lack Funds, Sponsorship & Media Coverage’

By LokMarg

Chandra Vijay Singh, Coach of the Indian wrestling team, says sports bodies need to learn from the success of IPL and Pro Kabaddi, not envy such initiatives. His views:

Before we discuss the reason why athletes in sports other than cricket feel their achievements have been recognised, let me first confess that in the past one decade, there has been a major transformation in the facilities, training and opportunities available to our sportspersons. However, the sports fraternity is still plagued by lethargic sports federations and media apathy. That is what needs to be fixed if India has to become a sporting nations and promote Olympic sports.

I would like to back my point from a small incident. A few weeks back, a national wrestling event was organized in Gorakhpur, attended by established players from across the country. However, it was only considered to be mentioned in one or two paragraph reports in local –not even regional – newspapers. Were this to be a cricketing event, it would be undoubtedly aired on Sports channels and national media.

Mercifully, some changes have come where competition like Pro-Kabaddi, Badminton league, Soccer leagues etc have come and private channels are giving them live coverage. However, this is yet to reach the kind of coverage a biased media gives to even much smaller cricket competitions. Indian state and private media channels cover non-cricket sports only for a limited period of time in a year. Only then the recognition will follow.

ALSO READ: ‘Cricketers Must Learn How To Digest Success, Glamour’

The second and important reason is lack of sponsorship. Since the advent of IPL, smaller and regional T20 tournaments are not only getting a prime slot on private sports channels but they are also getting bigwig sponsors who spend lavishly on the event and its publicity. Al this while, the Olympic sports struggle to arrange for even a decent press conference. Clearly, the government cannot be blamed for the popularity of cricket at such a fast pace because the BCCI is the richest sports body of cricket in the world and it is not accountable to the government. Other sports administrative bodies cannot match the deep pockets that the BCCI has.

Add to this the lethargic sports officials who fail to step out of their cosy offices and scout the talent in their nurseries (read villages and small towns), and you know the reason why India despite its size has failed to win international medals proportionately. The athletes who have continuously performed at international levels, be it Sania Mirza, PV Sindhu, Neeraj Chopra and others, they do get their due recognition.

Now to the last point: We, as Indian sports viewers, need to change our mentality and open up for other sports also that have been a part of our sporting glory. Sports federations should take initiatives to raise their funding, look for willing sponsors and dig out real talent. Here, I would also like to quote an example to substantiate.

The Pro Kabaddi League, which started a few years ago, is a shining example of what I have just noted. It is a successful event like IPL and people and audience are connecting to it in large numbers. The organisers clearly had a plan before they launched the league. Ultimate Kho Kho has also debuted recently and is also getting popular. More such initiatives are the need of the hour for promotion and recognition of other sports and sportspersons.

As told to Rajat Rai

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.

For more details visit us: https://lokmarg.com/

As told to Deepti Sharma

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Tamil Nadu president Armstrong

Kabaddi Player Kerketta Injured In C’garh Olympic Games Dies During Treatment

By LokMarg

A Kabaddi player, Samaru Kerketta, who sustained injuries during the Chhattisgarh Olympic Games died while undergoing treatment at Jindal hospital in Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh district.

According to the doctors, Samaru died on Wednesday afternoon around 1 pm. Samaru Kerkatta (28), a resident of Ghumra village, Jashpur district, was injured during the Chhattisgarh Olympic Sports Festival held last month at Sundru in Pharsabahar in Jashpur district.
Samaru was admitted to Fortis Jindal Hospital, Raigarh for better treatment after providing first aid. According to the information received, he was admitted here on October 17. He was intubated and placed on mechanical ventilator support. The condition of the patient was critical. On November 16, he suffered a cardiac arrest and died.

Jashpur collector Ravi Mittal paid a humble tribute to Samaru and said that the district administration would extend its full cooperation to Samaru’s family and would not let them lack anything. (ANI)

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The Best Athletes in The World

‘I Have A Request For Olympic Viewers: Do Not Judge’

By LokMarg

Olympian and Arjuna Awardee Virdhawal Khade, 30, talks about what it takes to be among the best athletes in the world. He says criticism is important but toxicity on social media can impact an athlete’s morale

I was the youngest Indian swimmer to make it to the Olympics at the age of 16, to become part of the 2008 Beijing Olympics squad. In 2007, before I finished my 10th board exams I had qualified for the Beijing Olympic Games.

I was in great shape I remember. I was training hard, and had a crazy desire to win every race I swam in. There was a phase where it was all just about racing and winning. It didn’t matter where I was swimming and who was swimming next to me.

I realised the worth of being an Olympian after I reached Beijing. Being among the best athletes in the world, living among them, eating at the same place, meeting athletes whom I had only seen on TV was a surreal experience. There I was, an Olympian, like my heroes. That’s when it struck me. I was proud and happy about what I had achieved.

I participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, won a Bronze Medal in Asian Games 2010, and have participated at six FINA World Championships and have held four National Records for over 13 years. I would say it takes hard work, dedication, consistency, sacrifice and perseverance to set about an Olympic journey. When you put your performance together on the race day, all those grueling training hours, early mornings, sore muscles, routine discipline, diet control… all of that makes sense when you see the rewards.

India has come a long way in terms of international results in the past few years, but there is still a long way to go. All we need to do is stay on this path of upward trajectory. We can’t expect our athletes to go from not making a semi-final or a final to directly winning a medal.

If you take cricket for example, crores of children take up the sport, at the end of the day only a few hundred of them earn a name for themselves as a distinguished cricketer. When more children start looking up to heroes from Olympic sports and when parents realise their children can win glory from sports, only then will we have a huge volume of youngsters and then our coaches can do a better job of mentoring the next Ian Thorpe or Michael Phelps from India. My father got me into the pool before I turned five and I started competing a year after I learnt how to swim.

ALSO READ: ‘Quit Self-Pity, Swim Against The Tide’

It’s unfortunate and a sad reality that your own countrymen back home troll/judge athletes when they are not able to win or qualify to a certain level. Hardly do they realize the punishing schedule and challenges that an athlete goes through to compete at the Olympics. It’s there in all sports in India. If you do well, you are a hero, if you don’t, then you are a traitor and a fraud.

Social media has given everyone a voice and some of them are extremely toxic. I would like my countrymen to think of the athletes in Tokyo as our own children. Criticism is important but being toxic will only do harm than good. It would help greatly if more people played a sport. 

Everyone trains hard to do the best they can for their country, for their parents and for themselves at the biggest stage in the world. To all the athletes out there who couldn’t make it at the Tokyo Olympics, if you have given your absolute 100 percent in training and in the competition, accept the result. Plan for the next one and improve. Compete with yourself. Be better than you were yesterday. And remember that you are in Tokyo, the whole world is watching and you are representing 130 crore Indians. You are the best among us, so be proud of it!

As Told To Mamta Sharma