INDIAN SPORTS NEED MORE "SAHARAS"

Well its been really along time since I had written my last blog. In the interim lots and lots of things have taken place and those have been highlighted by all corners of the media and also by eminent personalities.

But in this blog I am going to cite my thoughts on an issue which have been debated about millions and zillions of times and has probably become extinct as a debate topic but with no fruitful outcome. Last week it was all kudos for the 20 year old Saina Nehwal who won the Singapore Open Super Series and climbed onto world No. 3. But what was the outcome?? The news being covered in only one quarter of the corner of newspapers against the full page coverage of The Asia Cup win by Indian Cricket Team in Sri Lanka.

Have we ever wondered why only cricket is given so much of glitter and glamor and of course money. Why not Badminton,Hockey,Swimming,Table Tennis?? This is the reason why the sad situation in Indian sports arises. Cricketers enjoy so much of spotlight that the advertising companies keep them in their books.Clearly other mentioned games are missing what they deserve, both in the name of respect as well as financial recognition. How can we ever forget what had happened just before the Hockey World Cup this year. It was simply a disgrace when Indian Hockey Federation declared "WE ARE BANKRUPT"!!!! Be it Hockey India or the National Rifle Association(they left out Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra from the Commonwealth Games 2010), it is very obvious that sporting event organizers, companies or marketing agencies are least interested in sponsoring events apart from cricket.

If we talk about games like kabbadi and kho kho there are a few local brands which is keeping such games alive. The returns from these sporting activities are so less that the corporates are hesitant to invest. Moreover in the absence of tax incentives and subsidies,the corporates find it even more inappropriate.Unlike cricket,other sports are not at all marketed, there is no adequate infrastructure and training equipments. Even if the Sports Authority of India get foreign coaches, it would be of no help unless there are proper infrastructure and good sponsors for talented people coming from humble background. This is one of the major reason why such sporting activities have not been able to attract fresh and young talent. Sahara India once again became the main sponsor for the Indian Cricket Team and they agreed to pay the BCCI a whopping sum of Rs. 3.43 crore per match. Contradicting this fact, Nike the jersey provider for both the Cricket and Football Team pays to the Cricket Team and not the Football.. Could anybody justify this please??

Its better late than never.. Funds from India Inc. should start flowing into these sporting arenas and it is also upto the respective Federations to utilize these funds and do a proper marketing about their sports or else attaining glory through Saharas will continue to be an elusive dream.. Its time that these agencies and companies come together to build a better and disciplined society and ensure that no talent gets wasted because of lack of resources !!!