Aunt Sally



In various walks of life, there's a curious phenomenon whereby an individual or like-minded group seeks to uplift one entity by diminishing another. We feel an unintelligible pride in belittling the other just to promote or highlight something else. 

These days his trend is particularly visible in the realm of sports, where passionate supporters of varying disciplines often pit their preferences against each other. Recently, this tendency has surfaced alarmingly within the Indian sporting community, particularly concerning cricket and Olympic sports. A series of articles penned by self-proclaimed "matured" know-alls have taken aim at Indian cricket and its players, portraying them in a negative light to champion lesser-followed but equally significant sports like athletics, wrestling, and gymnastics etc. 


An Oversimplified Narrative

At the core of this debate lies an oversimplification of the challenges faced by Indian sports beyond cricket. Critics have insinuated that the popularity and success of cricket are to blame for the underperformance of other sports, suggesting that cricket monopolizes resources, attention, and investment in the sporting ecosystem. This notion is not only misleading but, in many ways, counterproductive. India gained independence over 75 years ago, and despite substantial investments totaling crores of taxpayer money into Olympic sports, systemic challenges, including deep-rooted corruption and mismanagement, persist.

Instead of critically examining the management structures that underpin Indian sports and addressing the omnipresent corruption and bureaucratic inefficiencies, these commentators find solace in scapegoating cricket. While cricket is a sport where India has achieved remarkable success on the global stage, blaming it for the struggles of less popular sports ignores the multifaceted nature of sports development in the country.


A Flawed Comparison

One cannot overlook the fact that international sporting success often has deep cultural and historical roots. Just as Latin American countries are celebrated for their football prowess, Russia is renowned for its gymnastics, and Australia has cemented its reputation in cricket, India has established itself as a cricketing powerhouse. These distinctions are not a matter of neglecting other sports; rather, they often reflect deep societal interests and traditions in athletic pursuits.

The argument that India's cricketing success detracts from the potential success of its Olympic athletes is not only simplistic but also undermines the achievements of cricketers who have brought the nation together. Cricket in India is not just a sport; it is a unifying force, a source of immense national pride, and a platform from which many talented individuals have emerged. The idea that cricket needs to be diminished to elevate other sports is akin to saying that one must erase the history of a successful entity to carve out space for others.

Redirecting the Focus

If the primary goal is to enhance the performance of Olympic sports, the dialogue should transcend blaming cricket or any single sport. The conversation should center around comprehensive reforms aimed at improving the structure, funding, and governance of all sports in India. Identifying best practices from countries that excel in various sports could provide valuable insights into how to cultivate talent and foster a culture of excellence across disciplines.

Furthermore, collaborative efforts among sports governing bodies, private sector investment, and grassroots initiatives are essential. Encouraging a culture where varied sports can flourish alongside cricket is possible if the focus shifts from divisive blame games to constructive dialogue and innovative solutions. 



Navigating the landscape of Indian sports requires a nuanced understanding of the country's unique history and cultural affiliations with various athletic disciplines. While it’s natural for sports enthusiasts to champion their preferred games, doing so at the expense of another only serves to breed division and resentment. Instead of tearing down cricket to lift other sports, stakeholders should work together holistically to build an inclusive sporting ecosystem that recognizes and celebrates all facets of athletic talent in India. Thus, the emphasis should not be on diminishing one sport but rather on nurturing a bouquet of sporting excellence that encompasses various disciplines and empowers athletes across the spectrum.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Beyond Aurangzeb's Grave

Image
Amidst all the backlash, rebuke, and name-calling directed at West Bengal’s yesteryear's academic system—particularly at the school level during the Communist era—my generation grew up in an environment that, despite its flaws, fostered a culture of critical thinking and intellectual curiosity. Today, after spending more than two decades in different parts of the country, mostly in Northern India, I realize with clarity that the education we received in Bengal, though often criticized for lacking a so-called "competitive spirit," instilled in us values that make us proud. Unlike the education system prevalent in North and Central India (the Hindi belt), our system encouraged independent thought, questioning, and a broad engagement with literature and history beyond prescribed textbooks.   Encouragement to Think, Question, and Explore   One of the most defining aspects of our education was the freedom to think and ask questions( no, that time it was not labelled as an...
Read more

The Little Master

Image
Imagine the bustling throng at Queen's Park Oval, the sun casting a golden light over the cricketing coliseum where passion and performance intertwine. The drums of the Caribbean resound like thunderclaps, and the intoxicating rhythm of Calypso music vibrates through the air. As the crowd erupts in fervent cheer, the atmosphere crackles with a palpable energy, charged with the history of unequal rivalries. In the midst of this vibrant chaos, the legendary West Indies fast bowlers—the fearsome foursome: Colin Croft, Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, and Joel Garner—make their way to the crease, firing from all angles...  giants, towering and intimidating, their very presence tea leaves that threaten a brewing tempest on the pitch.  But standing his ground, unwavering as an ancient oak amidst the storm, is a man of 5.4 feet—a beacon of determination and grace. A white hat perched atop his head, a smile that radiates warmth, and eyes that burn with focus. Sunil Gavaskar, the little ...
Read more

Women's Day:The Hypocrisy of Patriarchal Society

Image
So, there is this friend of mine, well-educated and well-placed from a socio-economic perspective in today's world, even "let" his wife work as a school teacher. On the occasion of Women’s Day, he proudly gifted her a jewelry set, seemingly evidence of his support for her autonomy.  However, over the dinner, this same man erupted in fury when the subject of her wanting to embark on a solo trip.  This incident is a microcosm of the pervasive hypocrisy that underpins many modern relationships, illuminating the troubling dual force of ostensible progress and buried patriarchal attitudes. It is all too common to find well-meaning individuals (mostly men) who proclaim their support for women's empowerment but are often shackled by outdated notions of ownership and control. The contradiction in my friend's behavior highlights a cultural dissonance prevalent in many societies today: the idea that a woman's autonomy is acceptable through specific lenses but wholly obj...
Read more