Being a sports enthusiast, I feel it is necessary that I "pen" these lines. After India's extremely disappointing performance at the recently-concluded Olympics, it doesn't surprise me that, in post-mortem, officials are pointing fingers at other people to absolve themselves of blame. I don't think it is as much a problem with the administration or the atheletes or the infrastructure as it is with the sporting ethic in the country. I am pursuing an education in the US and can see the dramatic difference in the sporting ethic in this country. When we were growing up, and needed to go for hockey or football practice (those are the sports I played), our parents always told us, "Concentrate on your academics - where is sport going to take you?" WHat makes the US such a sporting superpower is the inculcation of the sporting drive early on in children's lives. High schools have competitive leagues and the best from the high schools are drafted into colleges, where they compete in the intercollegiate leagues. The best are selected to turn pro. You can't just expect people to turn sportsmen - you have to develop them. I say we change our mindset about sports. Results will follow.
given the circumstances in our country, its a brave effort.Our women ran a good race , i am proud of them and of Anju alos. men what i can say about them. women...........power.Mr Sarma , think before u write.
Yes credible performance, may even be incredible performance by Anju, in light of performane by others except Rathore. We have such low standards. When a country of billion people can only musted one Silver medal, it is a disgrace. When people who can not manage one meal a day and can win Gold medals for their country, we have no excuses except our genes or our desire.
Ushaji, aap ne Anjuji ke bhare me bhilkul sahi kaha. Hum sab ka bhi wohi khayal hi. She did extremely well when competing with the best in the world. Indian government should be proud of all Indian athletes and encourage them strongly to enhance their performance. It is time for them to realize nothing is impossible. My only request to Indian govt is to "support our nanne munne tare to truly become desh ke hi nahi bhalki duniya ke sitare". HAMARA BHARAT MAHAAN, sincerely DESH PREMEE VIJAY.
PT Usha, Being a former athlete has the nerve to call it a creditable performance? Anju had nothing more than a couple of centimeters added to her national record to show in her jump when millions of tax payers money is spent on her. She was made the flagbearer for the country. What kind of preparations do they make for the event, and if is doubtful of not winning, she should not ge there wasting such huge amount.
RE:You call that creditable ?
by Ajay on Aug 30, 2004 10:07 AM
What are you talking Mr.Sharma,her jump of 6.83 metres was 9cms more than the national record&as for taxpayers money being wasted, as far as i know she received very little support from the govt&all her training was done by herself&her husband.If you really feel so strongly about taxpayers money talk about bad roads,clogged drains,water&electricity shortages,corruption,rapists&murderers as ministers&people occupying high posts badmouthing freedon fighters instead of controlling oil prices.
RE:You call that creditable ?
by baba on Aug 29, 2004 11:09 PM
Mr. Sarma,
Anju has won a bronze last year with a similar performance last year, there is no reason not to invest on such a players who try thier best.
Its not all the tax payer money, she also has a sponsor from Dubai. More over, what if for God forbid some thing had happened to Anju like sports people could not make it big due to some reason?. After losing all thier time in sports, who will give them a job?.
Investing is sports across the contry is investing on stong bodies. Strong body is stong mind. The same middle class mentality of going for the present hottest college degree and work for some salary is going to take us anywhere. Just like some buisness men, some sports persons have take risk thier life for national pride.
Sure, Anju will earn some asian game medals and throw at our faces in return for the tax money we paid.
RE:You call that creditable ?
by Jash Datta on Aug 29, 2004 11:12 PM
Man, Are you sure millions of tax payers' rupees have gone into Anju's Olympic preparation. Sitting in front of your computer, it's very easy to chastise performances. Why don't you sponsor one athlete and see how much dedication goes into making a top-class sportsman? It's a lifetime's achievement - one that you cannot develop in 5 or 6 years. You never know - if you sponsor an athlete, you might get exempted from paying taxes, since that seems to be argument's tour de force!!
RE:You call that creditable ?
by Prabhu on Aug 30, 2004 06:01 AM
Sarmaji, what is your opinion on the other athletes and officials who went to Greece using the same tax-payers money?
RE:You call that creditable ?
by T V S Sarma on Aug 30, 2004 11:15 AM
Mr, Jash Datta I am denying the effort put in by an athlete. what I am saying is why should we be in a state where we have to put all our eggs in a single basket. Relying only on a single athlete. Even the most optimist will know that she's no where near the mark. Are you sure that millions of taxpayers money hasn't gone into her training or particcpation ? And as for Mr Baba, I know she's won a bronze medal and that's it. When she's supposed to be training and incurring expenses for the state exchequer(sponsors not withstanding). There should be some improvement. after all the world is not stagnant. If for argument sake she won a bronze with the similar jump what about the others, they have obvoiusly improved to push her back to 6th position. right? What I am appalled at is the apologetic tone of the entire indian contingent. As long as we keep patting our own backs and be content with 6th or 7th positions with people writing up supportive articlers of these non performing athletes, we will remain where we are and small countirs like ethiopia keep performing better than us. Period
RE:You call that creditable ?
by Umesh on Aug 30, 2004 05:35 AM
It is the best ever Indian performance in athletics after Milkha singh beging 4th.Even PT Usha ran in a depleted field in 1984 olympics for the 400m.(The east European nations were missing).
RE:You call that creditable ?
by ans on Aug 30, 2004 10:40 AM
Anju was India's best and she did her best. In that sense her effort was definitely creditable. Medal hopes always depended on Anju doing her best and the others having an off day - mostly unrealistic but at least she had a sniffing chance. By moaning about tax payer's money and a 'few cms' the writer is only venting his frustration and ignorance. To improve our chances of a medal we need more of everything - more belief, more Anjus, more money,more knowledge and support from the public at large that it takes a lot to add a few cms, a few secs, a few goals, a few points etc.
RE:You call that creditable ?
by sreeram on Aug 30, 2004 11:23 AM
Well said Jash.Many people make comments as if they have won many medals for India.People munch chips,drink soft drinks while watching tv and make all sort of stupid comments.Anju has reached her position among 200 countries.This is not cricket.People watch cricket inspite of india losing again and again,but when it comes to other sports it is really a defeatist attitude.Anju has reached her position without much training facilities which are available in western countries.I also thank her hubbie for supporting her.
RE:You call that creditable ?
by gerge on Aug 30, 2004 12:19 PM
dear man it is very easy to write a simple message critisising her for not making a triumph in the olimpics. we how much she tried for a sponsorship in india for her. as far as we give more most importance to cricket only we will not to get olimpic medal in recent years. it is very easy to win a game of cricket of 5- to 6 nations but it athletics is whole world competetions and she acheived 6th in the competetion by considering 100 crore people nation of india. why not u not considering the millions of rs. accruing in the name of cricket by ou famous crickets. it is the policy of multinationals to increase their sales by using the image of sachins and gangulies to rasie their profit. so they using the cricket as the nations proud and mingling with nationalism. our govt. is also neglecting our national game hockey and u know the remuneration of players are only very low comparing to the cricketers. so worth their efforts also.
RE:You call that creditable ?
by baig on Aug 30, 2004 11:19 AM
IT take a lot to add even a single centimetre . Probably this guy is one of those jack who work hard to make themself dull. ITs really incrediable by anju to stand that tall. after seeing the rusian cross 7 in th efirst go it was even difficult to see marion jones struggle? anju was better. If given the same amount of time to anju to develop herself as those in western countries get she will probably reach much more higher level. Anyway its better to spend my hard earn money paid as taxes on anju who at least make sure that India's name cropps up somewhere at world stage rather than going to the so called IIT's who alumin are well know to go for green pastures without even thinking twice about the countrymen who spend so much on them
RE:You call that creditable ?
by Nikhil Nampalli on Aug 30, 2004 12:51 AM
With all due respect, Have you ever been a sports person at any level?And specially in India?Have you looked around and seen the facilities in your city-the facilities at which these atheletes practise?Have you ever seen the facilities that the Americans or the Australians have?How much of an encouragement does any Indian athelete get other than cricketers.Would you promote and encourage your children into Sports in India? If yes,do you realise the challenges they will face-politics,lack of encouragement and exactly the sort of response you gave when they try and perform at the highest level.How will we progress if not given the right oppurtunity and the right encouragement? We Indians have the strongest will power (think of all the daily struggles which no one else in the world is willing to even think of) and the greatest commitment (think family and unity in diversity). All we lack are the right facilities and those encouraging words!And remember,its always the last step that is the hardest and if Anju makes it a millimeter closer,we shud encourage her.If I had my way,I say tax every Indian Rs 5 and build the infrastructure it takes to make a world champion.No offense sir!
RE:You call that creditable ?
by T V S Sarma on Aug 31, 2004 10:37 AM
Dear sreeram,Baig, I did not win any medals for India. Its a fact. I did not waste public money pretending that I am going to win medals when I very well know I cant. Period. As for Mr.Jagar Singh, What better facilities do you expect for anju than the best in India while training and probably better facilities during the actual jump. How are we going to hear these lame excuses. for a 200 crore rupees spent on sports in India, we have one silver medal to show. I am making it clear that I am not pointing my finger at Anju personally, what is appalling isthe attitude being content with any position beyond the the coveted first three. Continuing with the same attitude is not going to help us in any way.
RE:You call that creditable ?
by jaideep on Aug 30, 2004 11:17 AM
Sharma, Its shame from the part of people like you who appraises when people succeeds and speak nonsense like this when people make mistakes. Its because of people like you our country fails to build good sportstars. Your tax amount is not used for Anju, its still in the pocket of our great politicians.
RE:You call that creditable ?
by jagar singh on Aug 30, 2004 01:32 PM
if all of us start thinking on that line,where will olympics go? unless we compete ,we cannot know our position.anju improved by 9 cm:given better circumstances,she could have an inspired jump to cross even seven metres.we have as a whole improved our participation and performance.we cannot jump to gold medals overnight.i am definite next olympics will see our country pick a few more medals.further improvements in management and administration are definitely required.jug
I would like to comment upon P.T.Usha's words " she single handedly fought...." Usha is absolutely right in her choice of words, because the governments role in the development of these players is almost negligible. the only improvement over the past few years has been in doling out of rewards after putting up a winning performance.but that does not create world class players. see Russian swimmers, or chinese gymnasts, they are nothing but a result of structured policies of the government towards the sports. I am waiting for the day when I assume the PM's seat and change the fortunes of this country.:-)) A country of more than 1 billion and not even 1 gold medal. just imagine, if Rathore had not won the silver in the shooting event, we would be left without any.
RE:anju's performance
by nutan on Aug 30, 2004 03:01 PM
Everyone,
Lets disccuss , its our national game, and we are champions!!!
All the state govts and govts co ( some pvt co ) are giving job if some one a good player/athelete. there are separate ministry/office to look after the sports at state as well as central level.
If u know some good palyers/wthelte in ur friend cirlce , just find out , how many of them has really put their best in the game after getting a job and some fame. Find out. If some one realy concerned can research on this.
Do not compare India with any other country ( even pakistan or bangladesh ) bcos its a mismatch. Why a mismatch??? bocs our are a great country and had very brillient past. NO not at all.
The reason is we are totally different with all the countries. in socially ( We praise the past and do nothing of future , especially hindus ).
Polupalation. WAIT WAIT , let me finish.
composition of population and effect of that on our dailly life ( three major religious groups , No where else in world this much Heterogeneous collecton of people )
division between people ( caste, lagguage, region and religion ) . All these makes a difference.
Excellent effort by anju. One person backed by millions of souls...under all that pressure she came up with a sterling perforhemance. Of course, there would be people who would crib..its always been there in India. I feel proud of anju just because here is someone who showed that "Even with the least infrastructure that our country can provide if you have the heart for it you can do it!!"..Alas, persons like J.J.Shoba and anju would be forgotten after this olympics..though they gave more than their best ..more than anyone would have imagined...and why?..because they didn't get a medal...Here are the people who through their struggle have shown us to fight it out no matter what..and still no recognition would reach them...same with usha and milkha singh...and what would we do for them ?...Not a single voice to invite them to hold the olympic torch while the cricketeers carry it with ease...this in no way does justice to the sterling performances of these athletes who probably gave their all for this honor. But, things go on...and these athletes would keep giving while we keep cribbing, sitting in our couches about how bad India's medal haul was..
What more are we going to expect from the Indian sportspersons? Huh? This was expect from the day, when Vivek Oberoi, Aamir Khan and the others were running with the Olympic Torch! What messege does the poor, ill-fated sportspersons get from that incident? This result was expected and will also be expected, if the government dont change it's attitude. Until then, we must be proud of the single medal that we got this time.
I would definitely congradulate Anju for doing her best.Aftr all she could not have done better.Though her sixth position is a bit dissappointing it was only expected that she may not make it to the medal bracket when we know about the contestants already.
Why I'm particularly happy about Anju's performance is that she brought out best possible from her at this juncture.This is a stark contrast to the habit of Indian sportsmen/sportswomen who crumle with notorious regularity in finals!It's not probable that you do better at the finals than you ever did.But, people will expect atleast one performs in keeping with one's image.That Anju showed it more than enough. Hats of to her.
My observation was that despite the type of shorts she was wearing,she did a commendable job.But next time Bobby should ensure that she wears,restraint free "biknis" that athlets from other countries were wearing to ensure longer foot reach.
