I too am a sportsman, I shoot pistol for Maharashtra State. Yes I agree with all that Rathore has to say, I too have been screaming and shouting at Government to do something for sports. Yet, I would willingly make this choice again. We as sportspersons are a band of super men and women. Our own motivation drives us, we are strong of will and push ourselves to the limit. We are all that is decent and honest in Indian society. We are the Ambassadors of India. We are also the Gladiators of modern India. It is a pity that the Country sends us bereft of arms to the sporting arenas but BY GOD we are the greatest and let no one take that away from us and future generations of players, athletes and sports persons.
I am glad there's no cricket bashing by Major saab! Have observed that, normally every sportsman (non-cricketer) will have a grudge against the money involved in cricket.
But I agree with Major Rathore that financial stability is what ppl look for before investing their time for any sport. At present, it aint there.
What are the steps we need to take to make sport a career option for Indians?
I think the Lt Col makes very valid and important points. I dont think he has said anything new at all.
But what is important to note and appreciate is that this gentleman and officer is a part of the establishment and therefore could have easily stated the government staple of how we are working hard and will have champions in the near future etc.
The sad fact is that we dont have the will or the wherewithal to produce sporting champions, the career is just too uncertain for the average person to take up.
I guess the Sania's and LT.Col will spawn a breed of youngsters interested but that would be far and few in between.
Other than cricket to be honest I dont think any sport can really claim to have created millionaires, therefore if Olympic sports cannot afford an reasonable avenue (by reasonable I mean the same kind of money for the individual as a crickter) for making money we will have the same problem.
The sadder part though is that this is not the governments job or priority and the private sector just does not see the returns in this investment. Therefore it is a chicken and egg story in Indian sports, lets just hope one of them comes first!!
As it is mentioned, only the security given to the sports guys will really make a change in Indian sports, all those who have come up in sports are with their own interest only, n later the Nation takes the pride. The govern takes care of a sportsperson only when he reaches certain levels before that many talented sports person are droped-out, we have to check this..
RE:Indian Sport
by pritam lal on Sep 06, 2005 12:07 PM
I agree with the views expressed by Lt. Col Rathore on Indian sport.
My son has keen interest to play football since he was studying in 5th standard. Now he is in XIth standard and studying in a public school in Janak Puri, New Delhi. Last year, his school won the Delhi State Football Championship for under 17Years and he also scored a goal. He wants opt football as a career. But, alas, there is neither a club or a stadium in Janak Puri where he can play regularly and improve upon his game. Only Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is having the facility for daily playing. J N stadium is around 20 Kms away from our residence which he cannot afford to go daily in view of the school he has to attend in Janak Puri.
We had visited Hari Nagar Sports Complex, but were told that there is no facility available for FOOTBALL.
I wish there was a studium/club in Janak Puri, New Delhi so that my son could have improved his game and could have fulfilled his dream of a FOOTBALLER.
