It is a rosy picture of the emerging India which is slowly and steadily creeping into every front of the world affairs. I am compelled to put on my rose tinted glasses here and look at the Beijing Olympics. After all, after a long long time, 28 years to be exact, we have got one gold medal, courtesy, shooter Abhinav Bindra. This man form Chandigarh came in first in the 10 m rifle shooting event and did us proud. There is jubilation all over. People are praising. But the most important thing is that the spirits have been raised and corporate sponsors made to hear. That, is what is important. Now, I hope corporations will take some heed and extend sponsorships to emerging sportspersons for training and winning because when it can be done without it and then certainly it can be done with it.
The other athlete who is slowly and silently climbing her way up to the top is Saina Nehwal in Badminton. She has reached the top 8 in Women’s Badminton singles and has the potential to reach the semis which I so badly hope that it becomes true and there is a medal.
These two represent the whole new generation of sports men and women that are now emerging who are smartly playing. They are savvy, inspired, dedicated, motivated and as I said, smart. They know what they want, they know their potential, they know what is needed and they are ready to work for it. That, is the new spirit that we are seeing in India and thankfully in sports too. I believe the rise of the sports scene has already begun and will go a long way.
I am happy and hopeful. Although there was disappointment in the loss of Anjali Bhagwat and Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Sania is struggling with injuries all the time. I hope she gets well soon.
