Does India lack a sporting tradition outdoors cricket?

How would you examine India’s efficiency with that of different nations?

Tejaswin Shankar: There was better visibility of our athletes. I don’t know if that’s as a result of the broadcasters determined to cowl Indian sports activities extra in comparison with earlier years or as a result of we have been capable of ship extra athletes to the Video games this time. However there have been extra individuals in blue jerseys and that was good to see. In some occasions, it was actually heartening to see a few of our performances. It was unhappy that we misplaced a medal by a whisker right here and there. In another occasions, India’s efficiency was actually upsetting.

Dr. Subbaiah, many individuals say cricket has grown exponentially, whereas different sports activities haven’t grown to that extent in India. What do you assume? We’re not seeing ok ends in different sports activities.

A.B. Subbaiah: Sure, different Indian sports activities didn’t make the modifications that have been required of them sooner. In 1996 (Atlanta), Leander Paes obtained the primary particular person bronze medal after 1952 on the Olympics. That was massive. These days, we win 7-8 Olympic medals throughout totally different sports activities. That is occurring as a result of we started figuring out youthful expertise and giving them assist. It isn’t sufficient in any respect, however it’s occurring. The infrastructure and sports activities science are significantly better than it was throughout our time.

Tejaswin Shankar: As you mentioned, outcomes matter. Profitable a medal is the purpose and all our efforts are made in direction of that. From a sporting ecosystem standpoint, I really feel we now have come a good distance for the reason that London Olympics (2012) or the Rio Olympics (2016). There’s a lengthy strategy to go, nonetheless. Individuals say, see how the U.S. has so many medallists, have a look at their GDP, their inhabitants, and so forth. However we even have to understand that they (the U.S.) have had greater than 100 years (of sporting historical past). Throughout Adolf Hitler’s time, (American athlete) Jesse Owens received many Olympic gold medals. So, historical past additionally issues. However, India has been funding many sports activities properly solely within the final 8-10 years.

It’s good to be important about our efficiency as a result of it fuels the starvation in our athletes and in addition pushes directors to do higher. After the London Olympics, everybody was completely happy that we received 6 medals. This time, we received 6 once more, however individuals have been very important. That could be a signal of progress. On the similar time, we have to lower ourselves some slack and never examine ourselves to China or the U.S. We’ll get there with time.

Do you agree that we’re a one-sport nation that wakes up sometimes and calls for ends in different sports activities?

Tejaswin Shankar: If we have been only a one-sport nation, no person would even care about or fund different sports activities other than cricket. So, clearly we aren’t. However sure, cricket will get much more consideration, presumably as a result of individuals prefer it. Even within the U.S., monitor and subject doesn’t get the identical consideration as, say, the NBA (Nationwide Basketball Affiliation).

There’s a lack of common consciousness about different sports activities. For instance, badminton might be some of the well-known sports activities after cricket in India. Individuals speak lots about it. We’ve got had heroes like P.V. Sindhu, Parupalli Kashyap, and Saina Nehwal. However individuals nonetheless don’t know the essential guidelines of the sport. After they begin demanding outcomes, it turns into difficult for the athletes as a result of they don’t seem to be used to such criticism and even such consideration (when the Video games are on). After they play on the Video games and end fourth, persons are shocked and undergo their complete biodata. However extra individuals must get and concerned in these sports activities outdoors of the Olympics cycle.

A.B. Subbaiah: We’re not a sporting nation. We’ve got an enormous inhabitants and plenty of children; a few of them may be urged to take up sports activities. If we assist them by offering good infrastructure, funds, vitamin, and scientific assist employees, we may be at the very least within the prime six or seven nations. Khelo India is an efficient idea as a result of we now have video games on the grassroots stage, and we are able to determine people who find themselves actually proficient. We have to proceed to nurture them for at the very least a number of extra years. The federal government programme is the place you needn’t fear about funding, however it will be significant for the system to be run professionally. Additionally, gamers may be produced by way of non-public academies.

This time, we may have one other 4 or 5 medals if we had good assist employees.

Ought to we construct a tradition the place individuals observe sports activities all year long?

Tejaswin Shankar: For those who love sports activities, it shouldn’t be due to the Olympics outcomes or the star athletes competing in a sport. Take the instance of the U.S. The explanation they love sports activities just isn’t as a result of they’ve a Michael Phelps, however as a result of when youngsters in Class 8 or 9 play soccer matches, the entire metropolis comes to observe. A Michael Phelps or LeBron James just isn’t operating across the subject, solely a bunch of kids are. The fervour for the game supersedes the eagerness to observe a selected athlete.

In India, when increasingly more dad and mom and faculty curricula enable youngsters to play and pursue sports activities, we can have extra enjoyable as a common inhabitants, there might be a better likelihood of somebody taking that enjoyable to the following stage, and of a few of these youngsters turning into superstars. The tradition doesn’t come from massive gamers, it comes from small establishments. Such a tradition additionally helps the inhabitants be wholesome.

Additionally, there is no such thing as a such factor as a genetic pool, of X being stronger than Y. If that was the case, many nations wouldn’t have received medals.

What do you assume cricket did proper and different sports activities didn’t do between 1983 and now? India received the Olympic gold in 1980 in hockey and the Cricket World Cup in 1983. Then cricket went in a distinct course.

A.B. Subbaiah: A base was constructed for cricket. Former gamers have been used to teach even the membership groups. Infrastructure was offered in every district. We didn’t make any such try in different sports activities. We performed our senior nationals, junior or sub-junior nationals in hockey however there was no correct choice committee. Earlier, individuals used to make the lower on the final minute. We misplaced 30 years from 1980 to 2010 due to not revolutionising hockey. Even once we have been doing badly, we by no means thought we now have to alter the system or usher in individuals (coaches and employees) from Holland, Germany, or Australia. When hockey required a distinct stage of health, we must always have carried out that. We educated laborious, however we by no means gave significance to restoration.

The federal government spends some huge cash on our athletes in the present day, however the notion is that our success is regardless of the system, not due to it. How can we modify this?

A.B. Subbaiah: As soon as gamers get into the India camp, they get the very best amenities. However they’re imagined to get these when they’re arising within the Beneath-14 or Beneath-15 class. Bengaluru is such a giant metropolis, but we now have just one hockey floor there. Go away apart the SAI (Sports activities Authority of India) floor, that’s for the nationwide camp. We’ve got hostels, however the place is the infrastructure? Each massive metropolis has layouts however no sports activities advanced or a sport enviornment or stadium.

Is a authorities or public sector job the one strategy to entice youngsters to sports activities? Does it limit the expansion of a sports activities tradition?

A.B. Subbaiah: What’s the possibility? Sportspersons are usually not taken care of after their sports activities profession, they don’t have any insurance coverage or pension. Most of our senior gamers didn’t earn a lot despite the fact that they have been champions. Many didn’t get a great job. They suffered health-wise. Our authorities ought to deal with all prime athletes as professionals and supply some cash in order that they’ll begin producing new champions as an alternative of getting new jobs. When Sreejesh retired, he was instantly made junior India coach. Such individuals shouldn’t exit of the system as a result of in the event that they get a 10-year break and are available again as coaches, the sport modifications by then.

Tejaswin Shankar: The system just isn’t properly oiled. I disagree that jobs must be offered to Khelo India youngsters or those that get a medal a couple of times within the junior age group. I don’t assume giving them a job and monetary safety is one of the best ways ahead. Sports activities is vital: it helps you discover new perspective; it teaches you totally different life expertise. However it isn’t a strategy to discover a job. You must discover a job by way of schooling. Getting a authorities job shouldn’t be the purpose of enjoying a sport.

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