How difficult is it for a nation of 1.13 billion people to produce a few good sportsmen who can bring home some medals? As we ponder over this question, we also appreciate the 3 medalists for India at the Olympics.’, ‘India finally managed to get a couple of medals at the Olympics. Three sons of the nation saved our face from yet another humiliation. A couple of days back there was an entire nation praying for the success of three boxers who managed to sneek into the quarter-finals of their respective category. All of a sudden there was so much hype with television channels interviewing their parents and friends and celebrations all around as if we had won the Gold medal. Two days into all this unnecessary hype, which I am sure would have made these poor players all the more nervous, 2 of them lost in their quarter-final bouts and the 3rd one finally managed to get into the semi-finals. Now the entire nation is happy again and content with even a bronze.
This has been the story for almost the past 50-60 odd years for India and this nation with a population of 1.13 billion, boasting that they are the 2nd most populous country in the world has not produced a single Gold medal in any of the Olympics.

Why is it that we are content with the only Gold medal from Abhinav, when countries that are almost 1/10th of India with a population almost 1/25th get more than 5-6 gold medals in these games?

We have learnt to be content with everything – bad roads, corrupt politicians, corrupt officers, poor educational systems, lack of jobs etc etc. We have now resented to our fates and believe that this is the best that we can get. But the question to be asked is – Is it that we cannot produce good sportsmen?

Sushil Kumar comes from a small family in Delhi and his father was a labourer. His life would but obviously have been full of adversities. Then how did he manage to reach the Olympics. Keeping aside all other things, I can say that it is the sheer determination from the young lad combined with the support from his parents. I would here ask a question to myself. When we complain that it is our politicians who is responsible for this pathetic state of our sports, then how did this poor family manage to get their son on the flight to Beijing.

The answer is quite obvious. Politicians would influence team selections and might be corrupt. But an entire contingent of sportsmen going to the Olympics is not a decision of these corrupt politicians. Let their poor selections loose in the games. But if the rest of the contingent has the determination to win and not just participate in the games, there is nobody who can stop us. If we do not have faclities for the latest sports, let”s utilize whatever we have and work on sports that does not require such advanced facilities. If an Usain Bolt from Jamaica can do it we in India can find and develop many more Sushils, Abhinavs and Vijenders.

Finally, once again saluting these heroes of India who have taken the first step in making us realize that “we can do it”.

The 2008 Olympics at Beijing, China began on the 8th of August with a skylit opening ceremony.’, ‘

It was 08:08 PM on the 8th of August 2008. A point in the day when all counters of life were at ”8” – a number some considered auspicious and yet others not so auspicious, the reason for which, I really do not know. Beijing was lit up with fireworks and lightings and the Bird”s Nest hosted the grand opening ceremony of the Olympics Games.

China has spent a huge amount of money on hosting this Olympics which is going to be an event spanning 24 days in the month of August. There are quite a few gold medals to be won in the games. The total cost of the celebrations in the opening ceremony of the Games was about $70,00,000.

The next 24 days is going to be festive season for everyone. Television news channels which had not had any scoops for the past few days will have plenty of things to cover. They would for sure make huge money covering the entire event. So will the sponsors, not to talk about the participants, who have spent their lives waiting for this event. It is a penance for them, a penance to attain their ultimate goals.

In the past these games have always been haunted by doping cases and such others which, no games in this era can save itself from. So Beinjing Olympics also has to be prepared for its share of hauntings, but I believe, all this is not going to haunt anyone like a monster, after having seen the opening ceremony of the Olympics.

The night glittered with colorful fireworks. The performances were equally awesome and colorful and it showcased the ancient culture of China. A lot of effort would have, but obviously been gone into the preparations for the Olympics and China would be proud that the came out with flying colors, at least at the opening ceremony.

But there were a few who did not know what this Olympics was all about. As Delhi streets flooded with water because of a normal drizzle that one can call it, I walked the streets of Delhi to find a family of a labourer sitting outside what was once their small hut made of rags and cardboards, completely drenched not knowing what to do. As a new reporter walked to him, I knew he would featue in the news tonight answering a question, if he knew what the Olympics was. His answer is anyones guess, but let us believe and pray that he will get a chance someday to enjoy the Olympics. While the participants of the Olympics would end their penance in 24 days, his penance will still go on.

What does it take to be there for the last laugh? Probably its is something basic that our cricketers or, for that matter most of the sportspersons in India lack.

Cricket is in our blood. We live and die cricket. But then why is it that we are being called as chokers. Why is it that we let it go at the final frontier? Probably it has something to do in our genes.

The just concluded India Vs England series was one such example. We were 3-1 behind and then we played like champions to equalize at 3-3 only to choke in the final decider and loose convincingly.

We could only score about 187 odd runs and couldn”t threaten the English batting line up at all. We lost the match.

Is this because we lack the killer instinct? Probably yes. We have always lacked it. Just imagine a match where 2 of our best in form and top most batsmen being given out by an umpire by mistake and we walking out of the match because of this just taking it into our stride. How much acceptable is it? Had this been with any other country, there would have been a protest. Look at the English captain who in the 6th ODI protested at the umpire when he called for a 3rd umpire decision after seeing the replay in the big screen in the stadium. Would Sachin Tendulkar have done it. Probably no. we would have dismissed it off as being part of a game.

Its time to wake up, friends. We need more of Sreesanths and Zaheers who would just not give it away like that.We are merging as the champions on all fronts.We are the best in anything,then why should we let it go just like that.

It has become a new definition of leadership and motivation. The movie Chak De, India has now taught our hockey teams to win, something that they had long forgotten.’, ‘

Finally, India learnt how to win in their once national sport – Hockey. Is it that they had forgotten how to play or, is it that they had forgotten how to win, it would be difficult to answer the question. But if just by watching a movie like CHAK De, INDIA this Indian team who had never in the near future even peeped into the finals of a major tournament, could win one of those ever eluding trophies by beating a strong team like that of Korea convincingly, then it is a must for all of us to watch this movie.

Not taking away any credit frfom the team, who for once at least played as a team, I would still say that this movie is one of those few lessons in leadership that probably no classroom session could teach any of the leaders.

Whatever it is, the moral of the story is WE WON.