Ashish Kumar becomes the first Indian to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games (Photo courtesy: PTI)
I have rarely been spoilt for choice of sporting events to watch in my 28 years as a sports writer as I have been over the past few days at Delhi 2010. The wonderful assembly of world, Olympic and continental medalists here – in swimming and shooting, cycling and athletics, hockey and tennis and a lot of other sport – has given the sports fan in me much to cheer about. Read more »
The pursuit of sporting excellence has always been more fascinating than anything else. A study of single-minded devotion will always throw up amazing stories of sheer determination. And I can already see that India’s elite athletes preparing for this year’s Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games are engaged in such relentless pursuits – against all odds, despite the Prime Minister having sanctioned Rs 678 crore for their training. Read more »
The Commonwealth Games are nine months away. And the skeptics, who have had a field day, will soon begin to disappear. I am confident that Delhi 2010 will inspire change and reconnect young people with the inspirational power of sport that will come through tellingly from October 3 to 14 this year.
To my mind, the Commonwealth Games is not so much about whether Usain Bolt sprints in Delhi or not but it is about the great opportunity for India to become a sports conscious nation. It is not about whether the best British athletes come or not but it is about a chance for India to encourage its young to go out and play and not just watch superb televised sport in awe.
Yes, the sporting legacy that the Commonwealth Games can and will create important legacies for the host city, India and its sporting ethos can be the largest gains. For, in the past decade and a half, televised events like English Premiership, Formula One racing, NBA basketball, golf and tennis have wooed young Indian audiences and glued them to the armchair in the living rooms.
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