The Indian participation in Rio Olympics 2016 was largest in terms of participating numbers but results were not even half of our last Olympics medals. The hungry nation expected much more then what we achieved. According to news and statements of people in power in Sports ‘a lot’ is done for Mission Olympics and the condition of sports is improving every day. Funds are granted to improve sportsperson and their environment, but on the ground not much has changed.
As a sportsman it is exciting to see our Prime minister taking personal interest in the growth of our sportspersons, his intention are clear from his action of inviting athletes for a sendoff to a welcome party for achievers. The announcement of forming a ‘Task Force for 2028’ is a great initiative provided it does what the Force is supposed to do. With my experience at the grass root level I feel I can suggest and expect a force with power with some teeth which can really bite and chew the real problem and troubleshooters.
The main problem of Indian sports is the focus and will to solve the root cause problem. We have been working without a scientific and systematic game plan at the grass root. The importance to Annual Sports Day in school to School Sports National is required to encourage our athletes who think of making it Big.
The baton of ‘vision 2028’ of the PM should be handed over to the people who can scout the scouters like Gopi Chand and Dhayia who have proved that efforts by individuals can also work. Imagine if they got us medals in this situation what can they do with a positive support.
The encouragement offered and treatment given to them actually works negative and they walk away to other carrier options leaving very little numbers in the talent-pool.
The baton of ‘vision 2028’ of the PM should be handed over to the people who can scout the scouters like Gopi Chand and Dhayia who have proved that efforts by individuals can also work. Imagine if they got us medals in this situation what can they do with a positive support. The need of the hour to have like‘s of these successful coaches as integral part of the Force. The Second important team of people should be of ‘Think Tanks’ who have been involved with sports at the very grass root level who can do a ‘SWAT ANALYSIS’ and draw a long term plan. The third team should be of Professionals from the field of Sports Sciences which has been our drawback at all stages. The team players should be Sports Medicine Doctors; Dieticians; Psychologist; Mental Toughness trainers; Physiotherapists and the most important Bio mechanist who can be game changers. The fourth team should comprise of ‘Cash Cows’ who can raise and plan ‘financial health ‘of the vision program as we have seen most ambitious projects failing due to funds. In sports the grants and per capita spend is the worst in comparison to other countries.
I shall eagerly wait for an Advertisement from PMO’s office inviting applications for the Task Force for Vision 2028 and I shall be one of the earliest applicants who is ready to serve the nation. Hope a fair selection is done to select the Task force to ensure Indian future of Sports , else we may not even figure in the medal list of Olympics.