Have sports leagues in India been a boon or a bane?

Conducting sports league matches in India is becoming a lucrative business, a media attraction due to live coverage on TV channels, attention to sports and unearthing hidden talent apart from providing known players make enough money for a happy living and entertainment to a common man. Youngsters used to hesitate taking sports as a profession for the economic uncertainty and most parents were not encouraging for the fact that they did not see their wards’ future in it. With various leagues taking place in India since 2008 the situation is changing. What started with Cricket by now has spread to cover Badminton, Hockey, Kabaddi and in few months time to come we will see football league too.

CRICKET: IPL, CLT20, KPL

Indian Premier League

Cricket is a religion in India. The Indian Premier league (IPL) which began in 2008 has been a success and has gained immense popularity. It has completed 7 seasons. IPL has helped the Indian cricket a lot. The players like Yusuf Pathan, Parthiv Patel, Robin Uthappa , Ajinkya Rahane staged a comeback to national team through IPL. In recent times, Sanju Samson, Manan Vohra , Akshar Patel, Karn Shrama are new additions for the country.

Playing with and mentored by stalwarts like Sachin, Dravid, Sehwag, VVS Laxman,and some international players has helped these players to improve their game and head towards national selection. The IPL has helped the batsman to improvise and innovate shots and ability to chase down huge scores easily. It has created a change in mindset among the players. They are becoming fearless and bold. The fielding standard of the Indian players has improved a lot. The involvement of celebrities like Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla ,Preity Zinta, Shilpa Shetty and businessmen like Ambani's, Mallya's, Reddy's , Nes Wadia, who not only invested money but also are spending time with the players during games.

Mandatory inclusion of international players (4 out of 11 in each playing side) from New Zealand, Australia, West Indies, Sri Lanka and England is responsible for improving the challenge and quality of the matches , thereby providing international exposure at home for the upcoming domestic players. Experienced Coaches play a big role in mentoring various componeent sof the game like bating, fielding, pace bowling etc. Due to IPL, the game has reached small places like Ranchi, Dharmshala, Raipur.

Champions League

Apart from IPL, Champions League T-20 is another attraction since 2009. In this top 2-3 champion teams of domestic cricket leagues like the top 3 teams of IPL, 2 teams from South Africa, 2 from Australia directly particpate,1 from New Zealand, 1 from Sri Lanka and 1 from West Indies play a qualifer and 2 teams qualify to participate every year. The advantage is that there is competition and brings the best out of the players. Some international players play for the franchise teams instead of their home country, showing the economic viability of such competition.The people in crowd are enjoying these matches and more people at home in front of the TVs.

It is reported that thousands (10,000-50,000) of people watch matches in stadium and hundreds of thousand in their homes. it is also said some functions like film shows, TV serials and political meetings etc avoid these timings to minimize the lack of attention.

Sub-national leagues like Karnataka Premier League (KPL) open up opportunities to many more sub-state players in the years to come who may knock the doors of the national team.

HOCKEY: HIL

Hockey India league began in 2013 has also seen some success. The infrastructure has been top class. There have been 2 seasons so far. There have been players from England, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Malaysia, Holland. The Indian players have learnt from the foreign players. The penalty corner conversion of Indian players have improved. current players from India like Mandeep Singh, Manpreet Singh have improved their game and got a nod in the national squad.

The standard of stamina of the Indian players is also improving. Moreover, the exposure they are getting is proving beneficial. With 7 teams in the race, there is a scope to get new talents identified soon.There is a need to expand the HIL to sub-states also to benefit the most.

BADMINTON: IBL

Indian badminton league is another example of how any Indian sports can be improved . It began in 2013. The people came in large number to support their teams. Players from Malaysia, Thailand, Germany, Denmark Spain came to participate in the tournament. Each team had to have a mix of international and domestic players. This gave an opportunity to some of the upcoming players, which otherwise could have remained as a dream come true. There was TV coverage of the IBL. Indian players performed very well. The young spectators who came to watch the games could see their stars like Saina Nehwal, PV Sindhu , Lee Chong Wei, Kashyap etc . The competition was tough and the Indian male shuttlers learned how to play with top experienced players.

KABADDI:

Kabaddi is the first national game (where Indian team wins gold medal at the Asian games in men's and women's section) but did not attract many urban players.. The Pro Kabaddi league that just finished on 31st August 2014 became a success. This sport require a lot of strength and stamina. All the teams played exceptionally well, but at the end Pink Panthers of Jaipur won the title. The telecast of the games came live on TV which helped people to enjoy and know more about the game.

FOOTBALL: ISL

Indian Super League

The Indian Super League which begins on the 12th October 2014 could also be a success. Eight teams competing with each team having a select number of international players will boost the image of the tournament and expose the Indian lads for competitive football game. In England, Germany, Spain football has become popular and this attempt to make the game popular in India is a challenge. This type of effort will help the Indian football players to develop their game and learn the finer aspects of the game so that we can see an Indian team playing in FIFA world cup sooner rather that later.

To summarize the general gains of League Championships:

Boons:

1. Indian players get exposure to international standards of game

2. Indian youngsters will evince keen interest in sports like any other professional courses

3. Parents will not hesitate nay more if the children opt for sports as an optional career.

4. The games and the TV coverage will generate revenue for the country

5. The economic standards of the good players will be boosted.

6 Indian players will get used to fearless attitude and play freely

7 The entertainment value of these games (direct and through Live coverage) will increase and motivate the youngsters.

8 Unearthing of hidden and remote area talents will be encouraged.

9. International games experience at home will be another distinct advantage gained.

10. Will fillip the sports journalism in the country.

Bane:

1. Some young players may stray due to flow of money at young age

2. Distraction to school and college going students especially during examination season.

Government and other support:

The national and state governments should provide adequate infrastructure, facilities and coaching for youngsters.

Schools and Colleges should encourage the students to take up sports seriously.

Sports organizations and bodies should facilitate organizing league at sub-state levels as well.

Celebrities like film stars, politicians, business tycoons should own and invest in the teams and encourage players development.

Edited by Staff Editor