I hope that some day at least a lot more Indians would march along during the opening ceremony of summer and winter olympics. While the participants from other countries, even smallest ones, marched in large numbers, only 5 persons from India marched along. I think most of those were officials, because they were looking at least 50+ years old, whereas the participants of other countries were between 16 and 30 years. I think it is high time that the govt of India starts a long term plan to improve its image on the world's sports' stage. Such an initiative should be managed via an independent or even a private management committee. Members of this committee should come from sports background and be appointed only on merit basis. Moreover, they should be trained on the sports management in a western country. We always pride ourselves as a Cricket nation. But, Cricket as a game can never help to get us any image on the world's stage, because more than 90% of the world's countries do not even know that a sport called "cricket" exists. Moreover, we, as a country of a billion people, should be capable of more than one game . Parents! start today by encouraging your child to play more !
Hardly surprising. Corruption is everywhere in this land where imperious netas and babus make every decision, even in sport, and always to benefit them personally to fatten their bank accounts and bolster their prestige. Is it any wonder that Indian 'athlethes' never take the medal podium at the Olympcs or any major international sporting event?
I applaud Keshavan's bold step. Its well know that sports federations in India have only one goal: to enrich the members at the expense of the athletes, who battle major odds to get where they are. As every cynical or not-so-cynical Indian know, more officials accompany the team than athletes themselves and their (the official's) main goal is too partake of all the goodies a phoren/first world country has to offer without sparing a thought for the athletes.
Bravo Keshavan! Whether you win or lose, with this step I'm sure you have won many followers. Remember, the Winter Games are merely a stage for the rich countries (even more so than the summer games) and by making it this far, you are already a winner.
this is really sad.... there has to be more press coverage to highlight the true nature of Indian beaurucracy in Sports federations... NDTV... are u listening ??
The incompetency and indifference of the Indian officials is only too well known. That pervades to even the field of sports. That was not supposed to be too self evident. I thought there would have been atleast a slight effort to make improvements atleast in this matter. The poor guy, Keshavan is there to compete for India and what does he get at the time, where he is supposed to be supported and encouraged, he gets ridiculed!!!. I wont be surprised that, if he fails to win a medal, he would be thrown out of the system and never selected again, for making a stand against this mockery!!. No wonder that a country of ONE BILLION PEOPLE cant win Olympic medals when the athletes are not respected and the accompanying officials are givne the privileges.But, I wish with deepest sincerity that Keshavan will win the gold and bring laurels to India!!!!!!!!! . All the best.
Kesavan deserves our kudos and support for standing up to the lousy and selfish officials that dominate so many sporting organizations in Inida. Hopefully our sports ministry will take notice and act against the officials
we should hail Keshavan for what he has done this shows of how our sports mans are treated all those officials whoh have gone with him should be removed form the Indian olympic association Mr Suresh Kalmadi is responsible for this
