And for a Friday after the Indian Women and Men’s Cricket triumphs in New Zealand….. some thoughts…..
Cricket broadcasting and visuals have come a long way in India. Our generation started with Radio commentary. Vizzy, Maharaja of Vijaynagram with Bapu Nadkarni’s bowling Analysis….. 31 Overs 28 Maidens 7 runs and 1 wicket….. ooofff….. unimaginable in today’s context of HD TV, Stump vision and Drone photography. T-20 cricket is Religion in India and beating the Australians in Australia has given all Indians a 56 inches chest and we look forward to the World Cup ODI in England in June 2019.
It’s not cricket alone but the advent of all other sports. Thanks to TV which has made a huge impact on our young generation. India has 302 million students in 10 to 21 Age group. The likes of Mary Kom, PV Sidhu, Phogat sisters and Hima Das are ikons for the young. At the 2019 edition of Khelo India Youth Games in Pune, more than 10,000 students from all over India participated. Star Sports broadcast the event live in 5 languages across the country. Top 5 states took 54% of the medals. Strangely, each sports discipline had a different dominant winner….. Karnataka – swimming, Manipur – Football, Bengal – Gymnastics, Kerala – Athletics, Delhi – Shooting…..
Great strides have been made, but lots more needs to be done. We have to develop sports at the Grass roots. Sports Authority of India has set up Centres of Excellence for various disciplines….. Archery, Gymnastics, Canoeing, Kabaddi, Rowing, Taekwondo, Weightlifting etc. etc. Let us all support India to transform into a Sporting Nation. Let’s institutionalise the Outdoor habit. Let’s build a Developed India, the Sports way, the Ethical way, the SEEGOS way.