Research Shows- 3

Third in the series of research findings. This one's about sports. India happens to be crazy about Cricket, to the exclusion of almost every other sport. 

Yes, we have had Badminton greats, from Padukone to Sindhu, and Chess grandmasters and champs like Anand and Gukesh, and Billiards champions and a couple of Athletes who were World rankers.

But even a struggling Kohli or Sharma or a bowler, will always be in the limelight, for many years, whether we like it or not.

Occasionally, we talk about other sports. But even within Cricket, it's Men's cricket that counts, not Women's cricket. 

Even for cricketers at the State level, it's an uphill battle, to get into a national squad. Maybe it was better a few decades ago, when the money (and therefore, politics) was less, and it was mostly for pride that national teams played. IPL has changed all that for the worse. 

Globally, we don't pull our weight in most competitive sports. And exceptions only prove what is evident, if we open our eyes.

 

Good Show by Indian Athletes

I was idly watching some of the Commonwealth Games- usually I don't watch much of athletics related stuff, as I find it very tiring even to watch! I was surprised at some medals we won. I was also shocked that no Indian before this games won any individual gold in athletics, barring Milkha Singh, aeons ago. If nothing else, it shows you how low the athletes' motivation is. I happened to be watching when Kavita Raut got a bronze with a super effort. I think it was the 10000 metres. If an unsung lady from a hamlet can make it this far, I am sure we are missing many more talents hiding elsewhere.

Here's a thought, you TV channels galore without a clue. Why not promote athletic shows instead of the same old "talent" competitions, most of which only showcase the judges and get them work? Might actually unearth a lot more talented athletes and make some officialdom take notice, particularly if big names like Barkha Dutt host these. How about it?