The medal tally in the National Games at Kerala (31st January to 14th February, 2015) gives a
glimpse of appalling affairs on sports arena in this country. No single
State stood first in the Games and Armed Forces clinched the first position by
winning 91 gold, 33 silver and 35 bronze (Total : 159).
The host State Kerala managed 2nd position by winning 54
gold, 48 silver and 60 bronze (Total : 162). The third position was taken
by Haryana with 40 gold, 40 silver and 27 bronze (Total : 107).
The above statistics paint a disturbing trend of how sports
& games are treated in this country. Though sports & games are
part of school education, no stress is laid when a particular student
shows high talent in a particular discipline. In fact, it is not
talent crunch that is plaguing the system, but lack of planning coupled
with some policy issues at State and National level. It seems that the
patriotic fervor is in low steam amongst citizenry.
Still, a majority of folks think that sports & games are
for leisurely people. Much credence is not given to it at school
and college level. Part of the blame goes to parents who don't
encourage their children in sports & games. Only handful of children
develop a knack in certain disciplines and only some select parents accept
their wish and help them to climb the ladder which happens with
their individual efforts/ ways and means.
India with 1.22 billion people must fare well in Olympics but
our performance in the London Olympics in 2012 is heart-wrenching with
only 2 silver and 4 bronze (Total: 6). We did not open an account in gold
category.
You can't say that we don't have a talent pool. Our
Rural India is abundant with youth who could be channelized to compete
for international events. Only long vision with adequate
resources and systematic training take us to the height of success.
When it comes, governmental action, Central Government
must lead. But it is States that must actually take the lead in
increasing talent pool in sports & games. In a federal
structure like India, it is States that act as driving force in any
activity. Growth can't always be weighed in terms of GDP (Gross Domestic
Product).
Real growth is individual growth; intellectual growth that steers the nation to global heights. A country's image is also measured in terms of its talent in sports & games. We are 2nd most populous country in the world but our performance in international sports events is terribly below the mark and it is the high time to revamp the whole idea of sports in this country.
Real growth is individual growth; intellectual growth that steers the nation to global heights. A country's image is also measured in terms of its talent in sports & games. We are 2nd most populous country in the world but our performance in international sports events is terribly below the mark and it is the high time to revamp the whole idea of sports in this country.
The God's own country Kerala which hosted
National Games 2015 showed a brilliant performance and this highest literacy
State has much in store to surprise the world. Being the highest literacy
State and now armed with its fresh victory in National Games - 2015,
Kerala stands as a Model State in Sports & Games.
Let the other States learn something from Kerala !
Let the other States learn something from Kerala !
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