Never ever has any Indian Prime Minister demonstrated such a ardour and join with the Olympians in our sporting historical past as PM Narendra Modi has. Regardless of the outcomes, the approach the PM took a private curiosity in consoling and inspiring all the athletes in Tokyo was heartening to see and was unprecedented. Just a few could argue that it was good for optics, however as somebody who has adopted Indian sports activities over the final 20 years, PM’s gesture would certainly have been a massive enhance for India’s Tokyo Olympics contingent. Not only for the athletes, however for these concerned in varied capacities in the improvement of Sports in India. However, led by Neeraj Chopra’s historic gold and 6 different Indian athletes’ podium finishes, Tokyo 2020 could have turn into India’s best-ever Olympics, however it’s equally crucial to carry ahead this momentum and construct on the success. And, largely as an extension and impressed by the PM, listed below are ‘seven golden’ concepts that may have a far-reaching impression on constructing a sporting tradition in India and will, sometime, convey dwelling not simply seven medals, however seven gold medals and extra.
Flag hoisting ceremony with medal winners from Red Fort!
The mere thought offers me goosebumps! Just think about that PM Modi invitations all the athletes on fifteenth August commemorating the nation’s freedom from British rule, on the event of seventy fifth Independence Day. He has already invited them to Delhi to personally meet and greet classes, however that may be simply following the outdated custom. One can at all times argue and will shrug it off saying that there are protocol points, however that is exactly what PM Modi does. He simply defies conventions and when PM hoists the Tricolour from the Red Fort, he can have the firm of all the athletes with their medals. We can have a particular ceremony, a guard of honour by the armed forces to the athletes as properly moreover the PM. A strong speech from PM on the significance of sports activities together with unfurling of the nationwide flag, firing of the 21-gun salute, and the singing of the nationwide anthem could make this Independence Day celebration a historic one and mind-boggling visible show. India can proudly inform the world that that is how New India is saluting its winners.
Now is the time for a Khel ki Baat
Borrowing from the unique thought of PM’s well-known programme Mann ki Baat, I urge him to begin the same program Khel ki Baat. The solely change I want to see is to have an iconic sportsperson, talking to India’s youth the identical approach PM Modi does on all the vital points each month. It will go a great distance in inspiring tens of millions of Neeraj Chopras and Mirabai Chanus in the making. The date of each month may be chosen from the start anniversary of nice athletes. It won’t solely hold the glory of those athletes alive for the youthful generations however will even give the athletes the respect they deserve.
Open bus parade for all the athletes
This has by no means occurred for athletes who will not be cricketers. Just think about the emotions of all the winners who get an ovation in an open bus parade like the 2007 T20 world cup profitable staff received in Mumbai. I used to be witness to that occasion on a wet day in Mumbai and the overwhelming outpouring of affection and emotion made all the cricketers cry and lots of of them nonetheless think about that have as their most interesting moments in life. Old-timers recall that even Ajit Wadekar’s 1971 Test facet additionally received a memorable ovation after they gained a Test sequence in West Indies and England for the first time. The 1983 World Cup-winning staff led by Kapil Dev was additionally felicitated at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium itself. The Champions had made a lap of the stadium throughout the operate over 38 years in the past. Yes, in these Covid occasions, an open bus parade could also be troublesome, however at least main stadiums throughout India can do the identical in the subsequent 12 months or so.
Introduce sports activities as a topic
If we wish to convey the cultural change in our mindset and psyche so far as sports activities is anxious, maybe there isn’t any higher approach than to introduce sports activities as a ‘serious subject’ in the college curriculum. What is the hurt in understanding about the guidelines of the varied sports activities from the starting, the historical past of the sports activities, and inspirational tales of our nice sports activities individuals? So far sports activities literature and love for sports activities past the area had been at all times seen as hobbies and never a severe pursuit. Just take into consideration a child of the new India studying as a lot about sports activities as she or he is probably going to learn about social science or some other topic in class.
Compulsory sports activities bulletins in TV channels
This could not sound like a unprecedented thought however its price shouldn’t be underestimated. Having been a part of a few of the prime information channels of India, I’ve seen what an everyday information bulletin can do in elevating the consciousness and profile of sports activities in nation. More typically than not, information TV will get plenty of criticisms for its TRP-driven mindset however at the identical time, it will possibly’t be ignored or forgotten that it has performed a major function in cricket changing into such a fanatic faith on this nation. Over the previous few years, most channels have both closed the sports activities desk or have nominal presentation simply to fill in for a giant day in sports activities. Just think about if there’s a devoted half an hour present in 24-hour information cycle in our nationwide in addition to regional channels. The least it will possibly do is to provide a soothing break from the cacophony of breaking information and lots of meaningless discussions throughout the channels.
Live broadcast of non-cricket video games in faculties and schools
We all learn about every participant and groups in the IPL, not to mention the nationwide cricket staff and it’s largely due to the continuous protection of cricket on sports activities channels. If a fortnightly protection of all sports activities in Tokyo can convey a lot ardour and love, why can’t we comply with the athletes when they’re collaborating in numerous tournaments throughout the globe all through the 12 months? If it’s made necessary to let college students get in on some sports activities motion, it will possibly go a great distance in creating a sustainable sports activities eco-system in the nation.
‘Will be Remembered Forever’: PM Modi Hails Neeraj Chopra’s Historic Gold in Tokyo
Institutionalize an iconic yearly award in each sport
Last however not the least, right here is another suggestion which is once more the extension of what PM has already initiated this week. Rechristening India’s highest sporting award in the identify of Major Dhyan Chand is a superb transfer, even when a belated one. However, we should always not simply cease there; as a substitute we should always have one main iconic yearly award for every sport in the identify of its biggest icon. How a couple of PT Usha award for the greatest feminine sprinter, greatest male sprinter award in the identify of Milkha Singh, greatest feminine excessive jumper in the identify of Anju Bobby George, greatest male badminton participant in the identify of Prakash Padukone, greatest feminine badminton participant in the identify of PV Sindhu, the greatest Javelin thrower award in the identify of Neeraj Chopra? This is the type of incentive any sportsman is probably going to cherish extra than simply few euphoric felicitations after their biggest moments of their profession.
Over to you, Mr. Prime Minister!
Read all the Latest News, Breaking News and Coronavirus News right here
