I am watching a documentary on the US sailing team that is pushed on my feed. It is called Unchartered. The opening line is – “I actually dream of sailing every night”. Looking at the way they train, I’m blown away. They have such determination. Returning from personal and physical tragedy. Battling lack of funds and staying in the sport for the love of it.
What a team! Go Team USA. I know who to cheer for at these Olympics.
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Meanwhile in India, where are we in Sailing? Like really. 1.2 Billion people and we’re #notwinning and #notgreatever. Where is India’s Trump?
Let’s talk Rio 2016. I’m sitting here in front of my laptop and my FB feed shows me Abhinav Bindra didn’t make it. Finished 4th? Really? There’s a 4th place? Isn’t that a consolation prize? You’re flitting through Star Sports and have to endure women’s archery instead of the repeat telecast of India’s Test Match in West Indies.
They lose to Russia in the quarters itself. Couldn’t even make it to the Semis! Even Leander Paes has let you down! First round exit.
#WeDeserveBetter
You’re sick of this. The might of this great nation. And they’re not even trying. Selfie Taking glory seekers! Let’s open Cricbuzz and meanwhile put up an FB post lamenting sport in this country. No way you’re watching this sham again.
Only thing is, is it a sham? I mean the dreams of 1.2 Billion Indians!
We love this phrase 1.2 Billion Indian Dreams. But it isn’t is it? You’ve never dreamed of an Olympic medal. Never contemplated the podium, or known what it feels like to have the national anthem sung for winning. This is not the idea we were raised with, was it? Between choosing engineering or medicine, you didn’t taste the dirt of a race track, or the whack of a bowstring on your arm, the cramps from swimming long hours in a pool.
1.2 Billion Indians didn’t pin their hopes of medal victory on food arriving minutes before stepping into a boxing ring. Or train years while their parents pushed hand carts on meager salaries. 1.2 Billion Indians didn’t contemplate what they would say when they are asked the question – ‘Is sport mein koi future hain kya?’ And neither did you.
You didn’t have your air rifle fall and not even a backup, resulting in you using a standard issue at the finals of the Olympics. (Abhinav Bindra – Rifle Shooting)
You didn’t go into depression and take 2 years to come back on track after you let your country down in 2012. (Deepika Kumari – Archery)
You didn’t have the governing body of your sport not allow you to choose your own partner, after you were the one who qualified for the Olympics. (Rohan Bopanna – Tennis)
You definitely didn’t rub shoulders with Athletes from other countries who have been scientifically fed and mentally trained to be there. You didn’t work for 3 years to win at championships around the world to qualify for a shot at the Olympics. You didn’t sacrifice 20+ years of your life following a sport that 1.2 Billion Indians DO NOT WATCH.
India deserves Gold. Because they are India. This is their dream. But they dreamt it for you too.
India deserves Gold. But do you?
For the record, and in parting – in Sailing alone – Shakeel Kudrolli won a gold at the Asians in 1989, and in 1997 he became the first Asian to win Silver at the UK World Championships. Commodore Mongia won Bronze in the 1981 Asian Sailing Championship and at the International Yacht Racing Union Nations Cup.
Aashim Mongia has won silvers at two World Enterprise championships. His brother Nitin Mongia has 4 gold and 2 bronze medals at the International level. Both have Arjuna awards for yachting. As do World Champions Mahesh Ramachandran & Homi Motiwala.
They all dreamt of sailing. Every night. They have trained at far greater costs and taken far greater risks in their time.
And they have done it for the love of the sport. The only difference is that we don’t tell these stories.
Choose a side. Make it the right one. And be in it for the long run.
