India received its Tokyo 2020 Olympics heroes with much fanfare. Many felicitation functions were organized across the country and the medal winners were either given or promised perks in return for their performances in the quadrennial sports extravaganza. While some were given ‘returns’ in cash, others got it in kind. But the most important gift they received was the smile on the faces of every Indian apart from countless wishes.
For us, winning the medal mattered the most than its colour. There is an old saying ‘All that glitters is not gold.’ I may be allowed to change the same a bit by saying ‘All that glitters is gold’ (Hope Shakespeare will pardon me). Every Indian was praying and hoping for the best performance from the Indian contingent. They even threw a winning punch to boost the morale of the participating athletes.
But, are we doing enough for that winning punch? Are we providing them with the best sporting infrastructure so that they excel in the discipline they choose? The answer probably might be in the negative. Is it not our duty to change the answer into affirmative? Some will say that I am being very emotional and not practical since ours is not a ‘sporting country’ as many call it. Here, survival of the being comes first while his/her sporting glory comes later.
In my view, the one who turns the tide in his or her favour is a real winner. It is imperative from the fact that most of the athletes that represented India at the Olympic Games come from a humble background and had no facilities to reach wherever they are today. Some even have to spend hours to reach their ‘training facility’ since they stay in the interiors.
And this situation has been the same for ages. Every time any question of sporting glory comes up, the player or the participant talks about the lack of proper training infrastructure. We have seen many ‘sporting icons’ donning the hat of sports ministers in the past. If not sportsmen themselves, they have been managing some of the other sporting bodies. Have they done their best to bring the advanced training techniques to the country? Did they provide ‘funds’ for a better sporting infrastructure? Have any administrators done their best for the betterment of the sportsmen in the country?
India seeks answers to these questions. Instead of providing the best facilities to train, we are cursing our sportsmen for not performing to their best. Stop bemoaning and work towards their upliftment so that they bring a rich haul of medals in Paris 2024 or Los Angeles 2028. This will be a real ‘tribute’ to the heroes whom we are celebrating today. This way we can change the general perception that ‘India lacks sporting culture.’
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