Day 375

Last night, I was watching the cricket match between India and Bangladesh. I knew that Bangladesh wouldn’t stand against India because they haven’t played enough in this tournament. Although, Bangladesh tried to gave a tight competition which they did to an extent. But at last they were nailed by India. Now everyone is keen about the match between India and Pakistan. This is the first time that Pakistan has ever reached the final of the Champions Trophy. It’s also a fact that Pakistan has never won any match against India in tournaments like World Cup and Champions Trophy. I want India to beat Pakistan again. You might call me partial patriot just because of cricket then I’ll say that it’s not like that. I’m just supporting the national cricket team of my country.

In any game, two teams are in the ground playing against each other. Both the teams play to win the match. But only one wins the match. It’s due to the technique and skill along with the team work and mutual understanding between the players which makes one team winner. Same thing is with the cricket. But when the Indian team is on the ground then it’s not just a game. It’s a passion. It’s the game of expectations. I’m not saying that cricket fans in other countries don’t do this. But it’s a different think in India. Let’s take an example here. I’m talking about Australia. There it doesn’t matter to anyone that how much you are earning per month? Which car do you drive? Although, its natural questions in India. The basic difference in Australia and India is that in Australia people ask that which game you play. That’s why I have observed that in Olympics and other international athletic events Australia always wins more medals than India. Population wise India is five times bigger than Australia. But in sports, it’s a huge difference between both the countries.

Well, the story is something different in India. Socially, there are so many hurdles to fulfil one’s dream. One has to get support from family, friends, and society as a whole. Cricket is taken as the only sport which is popular in India. Ironically, other sports are being ignored. Technically, there is a governing body for every sport on national level which is being assisted by the state level governing bodies. But still, why there is so much difference between cricket and other sports? The basic thing is that the unsupportive approach of the authorities officials. The members of other sports authorities know that they will get their salaries on time. It doesn’t matter whether there is any achievement in that field or not. They show their concern that there will be no sponsors and no viewers in other sports in comparison to cricket. If there is hockey tournament or kabbadi tournament or badminton tournament or tennis tournament then the viewers are very less in comparison to a cricket match. There will be no earning as per expectations.

I remember a movie very well. The name of the movie was Chak De India. Of course, now you have recognised the movie and its story. Here I’m referring it just for an illustration. How the coach has to deal with the authority officials? How there is discrimination of men’s team and women’s team? What is the attitude of senior players towards others? How much it’s difficult to get the right kits for the practise? While viewing, you must have thought that these are the difficulties which have to be overcome by the hero. But in reality, it’s the damn truth. There is a sports authority named Sports Authority of India. Its main focus to develop the talent of athletic in their respective fields. It’s a central platform for development of swimming, relay race, volley ball, basket ball etc in India. It provides hostel facility and training to the talented persons. But my question is what the reality in there is?

There was another movie named Dangal. In that it’s shown, the Geeta Popat has to go to a similar institute about which I’m talking about. It’s shown that it’s a place where coaching staff is there along with other facilities. Here my question is that is it just showed in the movie or is it in real also? If it’s in reality then is it at every state and in the same condition? There are many talented people who don’t play cricket. They are talented in other sports but why there aren’t so many medals in other sports?