India’s unsporting world of sports

Rashmi Oberoi

India Men's Hockey team There is no doubt that our cricket-obsessed nation turns its blinkers on when it comes to other sports, including hockey, which is supposedly our national game, though lately there has been controversy on that subject as well. But yes, more often than not you read and hear the woes of the sportsmen/women facing a host of challenges when they are doing their best to hone on to their talents and trying to reach their peak.
Sadly we are not a sporting nation... The opportunities are less, no adequate coaches, underequipped coaching centres, lack of infrastructure and funds, indifference and a lethargic approach by government agencies to name a few. Despite the fact that we as a nation have a huge pool of talented sportspersons in every nook and corner of the country, we are unable to produce as many worldclass sportspersons as we should be. Isn’t that strange and equally disheartening too?

India Cricket team The opportunities are so few and far between for those excelling in various games and regrettably, dirty politics has made its way here as well.Unfortunately, real talent suffers thanks to no institutional or financial support. For women, there is the added problem of facing harassment of various types from being shunned, to being objectified and facing sexual innuendos, plus also being discriminated at various levels.
Over the years I have only read and heard about the pitiable condition of the ugly world of Indian sports but now having a child that is competing at an AllIndia level, I am shocked to see the palpable pathetic conditions our children are made to go through and suffer. Bureaucratic red tape, inferior infrastructure making practice of any form a tough situation, lack of basic amenities like clean water and basic amenities like clean toilets/changing rooms, wellequipped facilities missing. Most parents, who support their children taking up sports as a profession, face unending hurdles and spend more time and energy in running around completing formalities than concentrating in training their wards.

What irks me is that why should sports only be for the affluent and powerful instead of being available for the talented ones? After all, it is talent that is going to bring laurels to our country. The management of sports must be made more professional and accountable before we see it becoming result-orientated.

There have been instances of sports persons being offloaded... equipment being damaged/ lost...or even worse reaching the said destination after the sporting event is over.

Our very own para-athletes have faced apathy at every corner and their voices have turned hoarse trying to bring attention to the difficulties they face. Isn’t it obvious that the problem lies with management of sports and not the athletes? One really has to salute the spirit of the Indian sportsperson, who succeeds despite the odds and the hurdles thrown at them.

What irks me is that why should sports only be for the affluent and powerful instead of being available for the talented ones? After all, it is talent that is going to bring laurels to our country.

The management of sports must be made more professional and accountable before we see it becoming result-orientated. One has to do away with political clout and political leaders running the institutions and have actual renowned sportspersons who would be able to get down to the grassroots level of tacking issues. The government has to step in and make a concerted effort to give our players the dignity they deserve as well as backing and assistance.

Even though sports of any nature is all about those unbelievable moments where the desire and sheer will power overcomes all the odds... But to do that our sports persons must also get the best possible chance of playing to their potential by providing them with all the assistance they need. This is when all the hard work and perseverance reaches those defining moments.