Sad state of Sports in India!! Can we improve? How?

[subodh_iit]

Everyone is blaming cricket. But that is not a cause, only a symptom. We cannot provide symptomatic relief. We have to look beyond the surface. If we start criticizing Cricket, tomorrow some other game might just come and
wash away the entire support for other games.

India is bad in every sport. So, we are bad in cricket, hockey, and the list goes on.. Marketers decided that Cricket and Hockey are two sports where only a few countries play. So, Indian market can be seized by overhyping these two sports as these are the only two, where a 7th 8th place in the world is easy to achieve and can be really called a good place in a world of 200 countries. So what if only 10 does play seriously.

Somewhere down the line, due to a combination of factors, hockey lost the race and cricket emerged as the front-runner. Result - IHF is the most badly managed organization in the world and is a virtual dictatorship. And India does not even come into top 10.

The same thing will happen to cricket, if a few more bad results come and then BCCI will turn into an autocratic organization for whom noone will give a damn.

The possible solutions for Indians' bad performance in sports are:

1. Lack of proper nutrition - Genetic factors can be easily overcome by proper concentration on nutrition. Heighten awareness and increase availability of non-vegetarian food. Flood the market with protein rich Vegetarian foods. Educate people on what intake to take if they are lactophobic. Remove fatty acid deficiency.

2. Lack of Physical Exercise and Education - Too much can be said about it. However, one thing that need to be taken care of is that it should be holistic, should contain general introduction of most most sports, so that people are not wanting when it come to watching them on TV. I find it very bad, when I have to explain my friends the scoring in a tennis match.

3. Someone said middle class is in every country. True but not every country has a middle class that is so hopelessly unidirectional in their viewpoint. In drawing room discussions, I have never heard anything beyond Engineering, IIT, IIM, MBBS etc. A country where a Tennis was called elitist game sometime ago, is supposed to be good at sports..

What are the possible solutions. Increase grass-root awareness about sports. Increase domestic funding. Modify the structure so that even the fringe players can earn some income. If a district cricketer or local league soccer player can earn some 20-30 bucks a month, his parents will not hang their head in shame while talking to a person whose son is an engineer.

4. Infrastructure - Hopelessly Bad. Not only of sports but also as in general. The possible solution is "Government should give me $500 billion" and appoint me the Chief Designer and Implementer of Infrastructure proposals.

5. Increasing our participation among the Governing bodies of sports and to have informed opinions.

[vinit456]

I think we pay too much of a premium to aspects like nutrition and 'genes'. Whats so much about the genes that could change sport. You do'nt need the avg height a any nation to be >6. And you do'nt need to promote foolish things like Non-vegetarian diet in order to bring about a genetic/physical advantage that some countries may enjoy.

Lets take basketball in India. You do'nt need every second person to be very tall. A good sportsperson with decent athletic skills can flourish in this sport. Ones of India's best players, Shahid quershi ain't 6 10". Still managed to do well and has played abroad, oh yes not the NBA.

There are players that have played at the junior national level, have gone abroad at the junior level in a few asian tournaments and were exceptionally brillant players, just amazing athletes and fabulous sportpersons. But having done well at let say U-19 U-21 level and then having graduated or not, the next option i.e. is to make a living of the sport is what kills the drive.

Languisihing in the navy and the railways and other govt. instittutions that provide empolyment to the sportpersons ain't a great incentive to move on. Else look foward to coaching as a means to meet ends, and coach the same kids that soon will be part of the cycle. And yeah the same social heirachy kicks in where Coaches/coaching isn't seen as something desired and respected.

We have done well in sports in the past at the u-19, u-21 level, the junior level but have failed to carry it forward. Reason: at these levels one an escape with talent. In cricket we have been doing well at the u-19 level. Th problem comes when the sport/sportpersons ain't exposed to the compt. that would consistently groom them to cope with pressures at the higher level and along with more experienced competition.

So its not diet and genes but how much of an incentive is present to keep domestic sport competitive.

[subodh_iit]

Originally Posted by vinit456

And you do'nt need to promote foolish things like Non-vegetarian diet in order to bring about a genetic/physical advantage that some countries may enjoy.

This is the problem with India.. People start mixing their personal feelings or religion with everthing else..

I am not asking every vegetarian Joe to become non-vegetarian. I myself am majorly a vegetarian. But does that mean that we should oppose non-vegetarians.

The tragedy is even for the people who wants to depend on non-vegetarian food, there are no options available particularly in states like Rajasthan and Gujarat. My only point was that it wud be beneficial for such people if due to increased availbility of Non-Vegetarian food, these people can take a balanced diet after spending less money.. Now is that so bad. I think not..

I will reply to the next post here because I do not want more posts to be diverted from thread's central purpose.

@ Plumber
Stating that it is the greatest myth without any proofs just goes to show that how ignorant are we. Medical Literature clearly shows that it is easier to get a balanced det from non-vegetarian food than vegetarian one. Do u know humans have been carnivores from the begining, we still do not have the enzymes to benefit completely from vegetarian diet.

And, it is much more expensive to get a balnced vegetarian diet. In India, u do not realize the differntial because prices for non-vegetarin food have been unnecessarily jacked up. An example is - an egg costing Rs. 2 is better than most vegetarians diet.. That is if u can afford a costly but balanced vegetarian diet, than u do not need to go for non-veg but think about the poor masses who could have benefitted by cheap non-veg food if not for the silly rhetoric against it.

I must say in the end, Vegetarian food is a must for spiritual wellness and I always swear by it among my friends, but for the malnourished masses, spiritual wellness should be the last thin on mind.

[Plumber]

Originally Posted by subodh_iit

This is the problem with India.. People start mixing their personal feelings or religion with everthing else..

I am not asking every vegetarian Joe to become non-vegetarian. I myself am majorly a vegetarian. But does that mean that we should oppose non-vegetarians.

The tragedy is even for the people who wants to depend on non-vegetarian food, there are no options available particularly in states like Rajasthan and Gujarat. My only point was that it wud be beneficial for such people if due to increased availbility of Non-Vegetarian food, these people can take a balanced diet after spending less money.. Now is that so bad. I think not..

It's not about mixing the issue of personal choice and what's good for sport...

I am a vegeterian as well, and would say that "non-vegeterian diet is very useful"; "reccomended for sportsmen" are the biggest myths!...Infact, vegeterian diet is much better for evryone including sportsmen, as compared to a non-veg one!

And yes, veg diet is not that expensive, or difficult to obtain; generally speaking!

Neways, let's leave this debate! But just wanted to express my opinion that I don't quite agree with your suggesstion. I can give reasons, but that would divert this discussion; and hence would refrain from doing that.

Cheers!

[KAUN]

I remember a few years back 'ESPN-school Quiz' which was followed with a fair amount of interest by the sports loving kids even from the non participating schools............as for the Participating schools there was a great amount of pride involved.

A Soccer tournament on the same lines and bradcasted at the same level can do a lot of good for the game of soccer in India...............coz I strongly feel that Soocer has the potential to be a lot more popular than cricket, if we have a National team to back in major international tournaments

[vinit456]

Originally Posted by subodh_iit

This is the problem with India.. People start mixing their personal feelings or religion with everthing else..

I am not asking every vegetarian Joe to become non-vegetarian. I myself am majorly a vegetarian. But does that mean that we should oppose non-vegetarians.

The tragedy is even for the people who wants to depend on non-vegetarian food, there are no options available particularly in states like Rajasthan and Gujarat. My only point was that it wud be beneficial for such people if due to increased availbility of Non-Vegetarian food, these people can take a balanced diet after spending less money.. Now is that so bad. I think not..

I'm not sure if u accused me of mixing personal feelings or religion. Neverthless....

Like plumber its stupid for u to opine and relate our dismal state of sport and a solution thereof among many would lie in consumption of 'Non-veg'. That stupid. period.
U don't need broad shoulders in games like Table tennis. U dont need immensley huge endurance and power in sports like shooting.

I mean at the cost of being arrogant, I 've played basketball at the national level and dare I would attritbute it to my diet of butter chicken and bhuna ghost. Our school had awsome facilities which was a huge incentive for sport. You played it and did well irrespective of whether ur gujrati(please do'nt bring in regionalism here) and therefore the problem with our diet. I mean dude u can be gujrati and still churn out P. Advani. U don't need non -veg. And the fact that many sportpersons don't go the distance at the international level is got to do with compt. dude not ur food intake.

And just to let u know the sports which involve a lot of pushing and shoving is just not about ur physical abilities but about how aggressive one is mentally. So its not always brawn. Its a cultural DNA thing about lacking that killer instinct and very agressive frame of mind.

Its the level of domestic sport and whether u would feel secure about chosing it as a career and therefore going the distance. No great pride in just being part of the Navy team to being employed more out of mere social service than actual deserving merit.

My solution in any case would be
A. Get the Army ot play an important role, which the IOC is/has contemplatiing and is working.
B. Concentrate sports in which we can do well. Sports that are more skill based. Concentrate energies on fewer sports to ensure that they reap the benefits. Sports like shooting need more consitency. We can do well in them

There is absolutley no point in wanting India to be good in sports that u like rather lets secure ourselves in sports that we can be good at.

And yeah the unfortunate mixing of religion and personal feelings is a universal thing...

[subodh_iit]

Originally Posted by vinit456

Like plumber its stupid for u to opine and relate our dismal state of sport and a solution thereof among many would lie in consumption of 'Non-veg'. That stupid. period.

Go back to my posts and read whatI suggested. I said increase availability of Non-Veg food. I never said consumption of .. is a solution.. U picked up a word from a point on nutrition which I mentioned.. I do not think heightened awareness on nutrition will be disputed by any1.

And as for ur points, well the solutions here are not being suggested only for TT and Billiards, they are for other gams also. And in TT and Billiards also, do u want people to be weighing 100+ Kg. If so, recommend that there is no need to follow any diet.. Go ahead, eat Golguppas, and whatever else u can lay ur hand on..

My friend, U are a rich person. U can afford costly cheese slices, Soy Milk, Whey powder and else, but what about those billion poor souls who are struggling to make both ends meet. Do they not deserve an equal hand at the sports that are monopoly of city players - not because of talent but because they can't afford a balanced diet. All I meant was that people will have more options at cheaper prices if Non-Veg food availability is increased.

[maheshtk_21]

Guys leave the dietary aspects. Veg or non veg, ensure that the junior teams that travel around the country get food that doesnt make them candidates for food poisoning.

One important point that someone touched upon was the effect of cricket eclipsing other sports. I sincerely do believe that cricket ,at least in India should be considered less of a sport and more like the WWE.

Seriously,look at the regions that have produced serious athletes- Kerala,
Rural Punjab and the NorthEast. voila.....cricket is not a craze here!
However,it was noticed that with the penetration of cricket,several villages in Punjab had kids giving up hockey!
No wonder the standards are falling.

I hope this world cup debacle does a world of good to other sports.
Our medals in the future are going to come from games like Badminton,chess,archery,etc.

(Indian) cricket will drag on like the sas bahu serials

[sgx100]

Seems we have had a good share of discussion on the dismal state of the so called 'sports' in India.
We are true sportsmen...no denying on that universal fact..we got to be : we believe in the spirit more than winning sometimes...

Jus to kick in some lighter moments.....Comic relief as the pundits may like to call it...A mail which happens to be one of the so many forwards thats doing the round of our Inbox these days..

Some things to cheer in the wake of India’s exit from the World Cup……. Too apt for the occasion

Q. What is the difference between George Michael's chin and Dhoni's bat?
A. George Michael's chin has hit more balls.

Q. What is Rahul Dravid's version of a hat-trick?
A. Three runs in three balls.

Q. When did the ball travel at its fastest duuring this Tour?
A. A Zaheer Khan delivery flying towards the boundary.

Q. When would Sourav Ganguly have 100 runs against his name?
A. When he's bowling.

Q. What was the most proficient form of footwork displayed by Tendulkar in the West Indies?
A. The walk back to the pavilion.

Q. What does Harbhajan Singh put in his hands to make sure the next ball takes a wicket?
A. Bat???????

Q. Why can't 'Virgin' be the sponsor of the Indian team?
A. Because in every match our team keeps getting F****D.

Q. What would Glenn McGrath be if he was a Indian?
A. An all-rounder.

Q. What's the Indian version of LBW?
A. Lost, Beaten, Walloped.

Q. Why did Pervez Musharraf kidnap Chaminda Vaas??
A. He just heard about this new weapon for which the Indians have no known defense.

During a Divorce settlement:
Judge: "Little girl, now that your parents are separating do you want to live with your mummy?"
Little Girl: "No, my mummy beats me."
Judge: "Well then, I guess you want to live with your daddy."
Little Girl: "No, my daddy beats me too."
Judge: "Well then, who do you want to live with?"
Little Girl: "I want to live with the Indian Cricket team, they never beat anybody!!!"

Q. What was the role of the Coach on the World Cup?
A. To transport the team from the hotel to the ground.

Q. What do Robin Utthappa and drug addicts have in common??
A. Both spend most of their time wondering when their next shot will be.

Q. What is Dhoni's favorite movie?
A. "Gone in Sixty Seconds"

Q. Both India & Pakistan are out of the World Cup but how can we get one over them?
A. Send Greg Chappell as their new Coach.

Post World Cup, Tendulkar has no job so his wife asks him to go and buy vegetables from the market. Tendulkar too scared to go in public wears a saree and some jewellery. No one recognizes him but while returning, a lady in Burkha walks up to him.
Lady in Burkha: "Oye Sachin, Tu"
Tendulkar: "Arey kisi ne na jaana, tune kaise jaana"
Lady in Burkha: "Oye yaar pehchana nahin, main Agarkar"

Fan: "Can I talk to Sehwag?"
Manager: "He's just gone in to bat."
Fan: "Okay. I'll hold."

An Advertisers Delight

Q. Who is the Luckiest man on earth?
A. The Tata Sky guy whom Hrithik Roshan stops at the airport from boarding a plane to the Caribbean. Come April 15, he could well have been watching Ireland v/s Bangladesh.

Q. Why is Max New York Life looking for a reinsurer?
A. They happen to be Dravid’s insurance agents.

Q. What is the best thing to happen to Indian Tennis?
A. Dhoni drank a Sprite and decided to shift to Cricket.

Q. Why did Yuvraj get run out against Sri Lanka?
A. He got too tired of riding his Hero Honda from Punjab to Jamaica.

Q. Why couldn’t Tendulkar make big runs in the West Indies?
A. The egg eating boy of NECC had broken his hand…ai la.

Q. Where would Zaheer and Sreesanth play Cricket now?
A. On top of buses.. Just Do It.

Q. Why have kids stopped eating Sunfeast biscuits?
A. Ab kisko chahiye apne ghar mein Sachin.

Q. Why were Dravid’s bowling changes so unintelligent.
A. Anchor electrocuted him.

Q. Why couldn’t India win against Bangladesh & Sri Lanka?
A. Its so simple. As Pepsi says “Ladega to hee to Jeetega.

[warrior]

yaar no need to discuss this topic

yesterday Mr Ram lakhwan Atawale has proposed a very simple solution on the RKB show not for sports but for cricket team in particular.

allow for 49.5% in cricket team and we could have easily won the the WC

what a great man. I feel like donkey posting on this thread and same goes for all those who have posted or read this thread.