On National Sports Day, AT checks out the sporting scenario in India
While India is on a high over the three individual Olympic achievers, it is a matter of shame that not many people are aware that August 29 is celebrated as the National Sports Day. While Indian hockey desperately tries to shed its underdog image, today happens to be the birth anniversary of hockey wizard Dhyan Chand, the man who shaped Indian hockey .
With a lot to be done, the situation of our national game doesn’t appear too bad. As former hockey player, Gurbux Singh puts it, “It’s tough luck that we didn’t qualify for the Beijing Olympics. But a lot needs to be done for sports other than cricket.”
Cricket may have overshadowed other sports, on this day the government honors those who have achieved laurels in any sport. Local sportsperson Hiren Gadhvi says, “More tournaments should be organised on this day. It gives us a reason to play.”
Be it infrastructure or telecast, cricket has taken over and no other sport is getting its due. Hardev Jadeja, former football player chips in, “By celebrating a day as the national sports day and giving away awards, the scenario is not going to improve. A lot has to be done at the ground level to produce heroes in hockey or football or any other sport. Our talent needs platform.”