By our Sports Bureau
The basic principle of optimism tells us that we should always view a glass as “half filled” than “half empty”. It gives us a sense of hope that all is not lost but at the same time creates a sense of denial, which prevents us from being able to read the writing on the wall. India's performance at the Rio Olympics is an abject testimony to that school of thought.
While one should laud Sakshi Malik’s skill and temperament in a high-pressure scenario, P.V. Sindhu showed why she is one of best attacking players in world badminton. For a cricket enthusiast, her on-court aggression was at par with that of Virat Kohli.
But then, reality bites. The much-expected ‘Olympic Movement’ didn't get the required impetus. So while it’s disappointing that we managed to save embarrassment with merely two medals, those who had a fair idea about how preparations went on in the past four years hardly find it surprising. If one segregated each sporting discipline, we would perceive that neither the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry nor S.A.I. officials realised that their estimation based on dry statistics was not in sync with reality at ground zero. Crores were invested in the Target Olympic Podium Scheme. Were checks and balances in place? Are we lacking in mental conditioning? Do we need a full-time life coach or sports psychologists who can help international athletes remove cobwebs in their minds? In the context of hockey was it a skill chink, tactical deficiency or not being able to hold nerve at a crucial juncture? That’s the million-dollar question. The pugilists have been paying the price for an administrative mess. The discipline that should come under the scanner is athletics.
In all a serious course correction is essential. The government and the corporate sector need to work together with S.A.I. and national sports federations. It’s nice to have a Dipa Karmakar, a product despite the system. Probably the time has come to realise that history is created by those who stand on the podium.