How Other Sports in India are Scary of Cricket’s Glory

Cricket is a beautiful game. In India, the game is more than just beautiful. With eleven ‘Gentlemen’ playing her and one billion people salivating with each score – the game personifies and is revered more than the religion itself. Its glory is scary. Not for me, but for ‘Other’ sports in India.

We have world champions in Carrom, Chess, Shooting, Boxing, Billiards and Snooker – have these people received the same treatment as offered to Cricket players? Where does Indian hockey stand today- the national sport of India?

Hockey became India’s national game in 1928 and playing for the first time in the Olympics that year, Indians won the gold medal without conceding a single defeat in all the matches they played. From then on until 1980 India virtually dominated the sport winning 8 gold, one silver and two bronze medals in the Olympics. Once it trounced USA by margin of 24-1 goals. Such was its glory. 1980’s scripted the decline of Indian hockey, and heralded the rise of Indian cricket as popular sport. In 1983 India won the Cricket World Cup and instantly its charm reverberated throughout the country. It was in this decade that Indians were introduced to Televisions in large-scale that helped the cause. It is not surprising that hockey’s loss was cricket’s gain. Until then cricket was played mostly by dethroned princes, urbane rich, and aristocrats.

Indeed we should be proud of what Indian cricket has achieved today. But can we justify the extravagant celebrations? The BCCI might be rich, but its over-generous attitude towards already rich cricketers is uncalled for. It hurts other sportsmen; not out of jealousy but because they truly deserve it. Many sports in India are lagging behind for they lack minimum infrastructure that is required for their advancement. Our politicians, sports administrators and the public too clearly lack any enthusiasm and vision to help other sports prosper. Any cricket fan will recite you the names of each and every player of Indian cricket team and other teams as well. Ask them the names of captain of the hockey, football, kabaddi teams and don’t be surprised by their blank replies. We lack respect and love for other sports. We are content with a silver or bronze medal in the Olympics. Our schools prepare our children for the jobs but not for the life. We do not have a culture of encouraging young talents. Our system is not conducive for the development of creativity. With the fraction of money that the BCCI spends on each cricket player we can prepare a potential athlete for the Olympics.

At least our national sport needs some urgent attention. The game needs sponsors. It needs money. It needs quality stadiums. It needs spectators. Its glory is illuminating. Its revival is for the sake of nation’s pride not for the money making business. We cry foul at the slightest insult to our national flag, national anthem……why not care for the national sport then?