Nelson Mandela once said “Sport has the power to change the world…it has the power to inspire. It has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than government in breaking down racial barriers.”
How many people do you think follow this in the same spirit as it was quoted?
We live in a country where education in academics or rather literal education is paid more importance than sports. Statistics say:
- Students' mindset and opinion about sports changes with age- at the age of ten, majority of the students develop a choice of making sports, a career, while at the age of fifteen, only two out of every 25 would like sports as a career.
- 8 out of every 13 students have witnessed discouragement for sports and promotion in academics.
- 9 out of every 10 students prefer academics over sports.
(based on a survey conducted in various schools in Pune)
Then comes the question of funds and income. It is a serious issue when players and athletes are restricted from sports opportunities due to lack of funds. It is a general mindset of people that white collared jobs fetch more money and income rather than sports which involves rigorous training along with a struggle to ‘create an impact in their chosen field of sports.’
Moreover coaching facilities, equipments, and other sports related issues lack in quality as well as quantity. The number of coaches and instructors belonging to this field is also not sufficient.
However, with certain games like cricket gaining prominence in today’s scenario has certainly led to an improvement in the field of sports. With the latest state of the art Sahara stadium, and industrialists like the Ambanis, Tatas, Venkys supporting the cause of sports has seen a shift in the attitude of people countrywide.
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