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Do Indians need to play only cricket?
Barring cricket, all other sports in our country are
given preference only when some important tournaments
are overdue. Now that the Olympics are round the
corner, despite the fact that Indian hockey has
touched low standards since 1980, there are
expectations that atleast this time "our" players
would put up a good show and return triumphant.
However, what conspicuous has happened in the past
four years (since the last Olympics) that "our" hockey
players should touch form and revive the old magic?
During this period, have the authorities done anything
to promote this game? Are the players provided with
any proper facilities and attractive incentives to
motivate them for giving in their best? Unlike our
cricketers, are these players enjoying mass support?
If the answers to these discerning questions are in
the negative, then how is it that we are expecting
"our" hockey team to win a medal for our country this
time? The other way round, why should these players
put up a decent show when they are not getting supportfrom any quarters?
When Indian spinner Anil Kumble grabbed ten wickets in
an innings against Pakistan in a test match, not only
the nation rejoiced but a place of his home town was
also named after him. During the same time, when our
hockey players returned home victorious after
defeating Pakistan in a five-match series, there was
no one to even receive them at the airport! Despite
the fact that some of our players are allegedly
involved in the match-fixing scandal, cricket still
holds a monopoly in our country. What's worse, the
authorities are leaving no stone unturned in shielding
the tainted players and even allowing them torepresent their country!
Merely aspiring our players of other sports to give
their best is not enough. They should be also
provided with the requisite resources and due
recognition should be given to their talent so that
they feel invigorated to always give their cent
percent for their game and for their country.
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