CRICKET PREVAILS

The fact that cricket rules the roost in this country is on one hand due to the interest from all quarters of the indian society while there are two other major contributing factors for the panache with which the Englishman's game overrides other sporting forms in this nation.The astute sense of responsibility and tact with which the game has been administered in recent times is an indication of an area that concerns any intiative that has to be handled properly for progress to take place.On this count all other sporting establishments have failed miserably .The fact that a player as senior as Dhanraj pillay has been treated shabbily on countless instances by the IHF is an example for poor priority for players in other sporting administrative circles.On top of this, the financial aspect that beckons even established personalities in their spheres of influence to have second thoughts on pursuing it with further interest,an example for which is Kuttraleeswaran who did away with chasing marathon swimming to pursue masters in U.S. , under economic constrains.The basic fact underlying the stunted growth of sports in general in this country is there is no established route to reach the pinnacle of glory . In the absence of any sporting establishments to train people from an young age ,the intiatives are left to individuals in the society, very few of whom are ready to go that extra mile to reach the daunting heights of the sporting arena.It is not queer that under such circumstances the most popular and established of all these sports in the country is what these individuals tend to prefer.Ours is not a country like China where,from a very young age the kids are taught and trained under a proffesional set up to reach for the skies.Even in case of cricket there have been several instances of unmistakable talent going waste or at worst unnoticed.This factor is relatively higer in other spectrums of sport in this country.The fundamentals ought to be strong for even an iota of growth to take place.With shaky foundations and apathetic administrators the story may not be much different in the future too.It is a mind game and if others can realise this ,they can also propel like in case of cricket.

The right beginnings need to be made to see any visible change.

note: "project 119" is a task force started by China eyeing BEIJING olympics 2008 .It has been started specifically with a vision to capture 119 gold medals in the areas where Chinese feel they have left some stones unturned such as swimming,athletics,other water sports etc.for more info on "projet 119" log on to

http://en.chinabroadcast.cn/1325/2004-8-28/87@146799.htm