Re: [nukkad] Indian sprinter faster than Freeman (fwd)

[Harshal Chhaya <>]

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[Since this is a reply to a message I sent from my personal address 
('nukkad' was offline at the time), it was sent to my address. Hence,
the fwd to 'nukkad'.

- 'shal]




----- Forwarded message from Balvir Malhi -----

Like most Indians, you spoke a little too soon and started bragging a little
too soon didn't you??  Is it any wonder that a country of more than a
billion consistently turns out such dismal and pathetic performances in
international sports arenas - and when they lose (as they inevitably and
invariably do) they come up with the most implausible excuses for not having
done well!!  (So far only two bronze medals, as far as I can tell!!!)

Indian sportspersons could learn a lot from Cathy Freeman's grace and
humility, not discounting the incredible amount of effort she has put in.
She had an unwavering dream and she realised it through being focused on her
goals and sheer hard work.  (Mind you she hadn't performed badly at
Atlanta - she had won a silver; but she hungered for and hankered after
more!!  She felt and knew that she was capable of more - she believed in
herself totally!!)

Additionally, she was carrying the weight and expectations of her Aboriginal
community and the nation at large - and she didn't crack under the
pressure!!  Humble yet articulate, after winning, she said that she was
blessed!!

Of course she didn't achieve success on her own - no one can.  She had the
support of an entire nation; support and backing and the best possible
training and international exposure from Australian sports administrators
and sponsors.  Athletes are chosen on MERIT (not because of meddling by
politicians - not through favouritism or nepotism or parochial/regional
considerations - the sort of things that put paid to India's glorious record
in hockey!!) and then provided every opportunity to blossom and mature into
world class athletes - whether in individual sports or team disciplines) -
the emphasis is on EXCELLENCE!! Talent once recognised and realised reaps
its own rewards through a nation's adulation and financial
rewards/sponsorships.

(Did you watch the opening ceremony and during the march past did you notice
the proportion of officials to athletes in the Indian team?? - all on a
well-deserved junket for the hard work they have put in on behalf of Indian
sport I'm sure and at the expense of the Indian taxpayer.)

A long time ago Australia realised that there was a need for an Australian
Institute of Sport (AIS) through which talent in various sports could be
spotted at an early age and brought together under one central body and
given the best training/coaching Australia could assemble, employing
world-class cutting-edge techniques/methods, sports medicine, nutritional
programs combined with education and exposure to international competition
at the highest level.  No wonder that Australia (for a small nation of only
19 million) excels at a variety of sports ranging from swimming and
athletics to beach volleyball.

Such a concept could never get off the ground in India (not for want of
trying or for a lack of will/know-how - India is a country with tremendous
potential and resources) because politicians would never stop interfering;
religious, racial, regional, parochial interests would keep intruding;
nepotism, favouritism, corruption would rear their ugly heads - everything
except merit, financial support and encouragement and nurturing of true
talent.  Any wonder that even the noble game of cricket has become so
tarnished by crass, vulgar and venal interests.

One final note:  Consider the tragic story of that great female Indian
runner P.T. Usha who announced her retirement just prior to the Sydney
Olympics.  What potential she had, what hopes she held out for Indian
athletic supremacy on the international stage, how she came tantalisingly
close to achieving international stature - but what a waste!!  She was
destroyed by what purports to be the Indian sports system - used as a pawn
by sports administrators and politicians for their own ends and cast aside
without adequate financial support, inadequate international exposure,
unrealistic expectations and required to participate in too many events
instead of specialising in one in which she could have been a world beater -
until it got to the point where she was being outrun by lesser talents on
the Asian stage (forget the international arena) and then blamed for her
poor performances!!

Regards

Balvir
----- Original Message -----
From: "Harshal Chhaya" <hchhaya@epsilon.pair.com>
To: <malhib@bigpond.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2000 4:41 AM
Subject: [nukkad] Indian sprinter faster than Freeman


>
>
> Hi,
>
> 'nukkad' is still off-line. Not really sure when it will be up and
> running again.
>
> In any case, just got some amazing news and wanted to share it with
> y'all.
>
>
>     Beenamol runs first lap to Olympic glory
>     SYDNEY: K M Beenamol of India clocked the fastest time in
>     the 400m women's heats at the Sydney Olympics on Friday.
>     The frail girl from Kerala clocked 51.51 seconds --
>     compared with Australian favourite Cathy Freeman's time of
>     51.63 -- and moved into the second round of the competition.
>
>
> Hope she has not given her best performance already. Even a bronze
> medal would be awesome!  2 individual medals in one Olympiad!!! That
> would be absolutely cool!
>
>
> - 'shal
> harshal@mumbai-central.com
> -- 
>           http://www.mumbai-central.com 


----- End of forwarded message from Balvir Malhi -----

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