The state of sports in a nation reflects its thinking, and attitude. The confidence that a country has in sports shows in the way the people behave. I cite the example (cliched) of China in this case.
The events of this year, and the past, give me reason to believe the times for sports in India are changing – for good. Here’s a very personal list of reasons:
- Indian Cricket is at its best after a long-long time- irrespective of the plateaus that we are so used to now. Till a few years back, we only “wished” India will beat Pakistan, and getting a drubbing at the hands of Australia was a given. Today we can think of India beating Pakistan(and it did) and even Australia in Cricket. In business world, when the largest competitor moves towards even more success, other corporations get desperate to catch up. Sometimes they fail sometimes they succeed. I believe the analogy can be applied to sports too. Hockey has responded pretty well with the PHL, so will Football and other sports in India – Pure survival instincts.
- The Government is pushing to showcase the country in Commonwealth games, and possibly in Olympics too. And as every one knows, that there is no point in being the only host-country-without-any-medals. These games bring in more investments into sports infrastructure and that definitely is a big boost.
- Proliferation of TV has brought sports close to people.
- With even the mildly successful cricketers charging sky high prices for endorsements, corporates are looking towards alternatives in other sports.
- Success stories have been flowing in – regularly now.
- Playing not considered as bad as it was few years back. With parents now a day asking their kids to go out and play instead of watching TV sitting at home.
- ESPN – Star Sports is running out of options to telecast. Two very expensive to maintain TV channels, from one of the largest sports telecaster of the world, with nothing worthwhile to show is bad news for their business.
2005 should prove to be a turning point; the year has started on a good note for Indian sports.
First off the line was the PHL. Its good to see hockey getting more professional at national level. It’s getting faster, and more money is flowing into the game. I dont know how long it will last, because I seriously doubt the intent of people who have got nothing to do with hockey, but are sitting at the top posts, deciding who plays and who coaches, at their whims and fancies. They have great potential of sinking any ship that they ride on. I will enjoy this, as long as it lasts, I never thought I would get a chance to see Sohail Abbas in action shoulder to shoulder with his Indian counterparts. Hockey needed this boost, and hopefully this will continue with the Grand plans for the next season. Four stadiums at Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi, and Chandigarh will have floodlit stadiums, and the concept of home and away matches will bring in more local spectators. Giving a whole new boost to Hockey- And turning our National game truly national.
Then there was Miss Sania doing her best, and getting Serena to play a tough game. And then the win at the WTA championship in Hyderabad, made it sure that she stays in memory for a long time. The younger crowd has a potential new icon in the making. WE NEED ICONS! What Sania does from here on is up to her. If it can be carried forward, this may become reason for many other similar girls and boys to take up tennis in a bigger way. More than winning the tournaments, what she can achieve is bringing a whole new attitude to us Indian spectators. But don’t forget that for each Sania that we have, there are many Ankita’s, Sanaa’s and Rashmi’s who still need that little push.
The crowd behavior at SAAP complex during this tournament was pathetic. Goes on to show what a game like cricket can do to other games. It wasn’t really surprising to see the Times of India coming up with guidelines for spectator behavior during tennis matches in their Hyderabad edition. For once I appreciate TOI. Although I still dont agree with their bringing in Sania as one-day-Editor for Sports section. Editing a newspaper is totally different ball game than tennis or cricket.
And then, my favorite piece, Narain Kartikeyan getting his toehold in F1. Now my Dilemma is – do I support, Schumacher/Barichello the best two of the lot, and the awesome Ferrari, or do I support the Jordan team just because they have and Indian Driver. I guess the day Kartikeyan brings in even one point, this dilemma would be resolved. Colin Koles says having Narain will bring in Indian Audience,and its huge market potential. Viewer ship of F1 is already pretty high, and I believe its close to Football viewer ship in India, I wonder how many (more) Indians will start watching F1, just because there is an Indian in there.