Sports in South asia

[third eye]

Over the yrs Cricket has taken center stage as far as sports in S Asia is concerned. I have no prob with this , we are excelling in it. Recently BD did a fine job in West Indies, Pak are world Champions & the Aussies may well be displaced .. so all well with cricket.

What is relevant is what about other sports ? Whats happened to them ? Should they be put on the ‘ endangered list’ who are on the verge of extinction ?

We need to take a cue from China who has excelled in all sports.

Football : A game that needs the least amount of investment & has the max mass appeal. There is no reason why a team from S Asia should not qualify for the world cup..but No, Iran, Mid east, Far Eastern countries with populations less than some of our provinces steal a march on us. There was a time when our domestic circuit was electrifying. I recall watching tournaments like Durand & DCM football championships in Delhi with teams like Mohun Bagan, Mohamaden Sporting, East Bengal, Dempo ,Punjab Police & so many more - we used to skip classes to watch these teams. Now the stands are empty.

Our style of football is no where close to the European & S American ways. Is it only apathy & politics or something more.

Hockey: There is a perception that changes in the rules has pretty much killed S Asian hockey. The Europeans have changed the rules ( including the size of the blade of a hockey stick) to suit themselves. Why has the rural appeal of hockey ( & football) all but faded ?

The list is endless, each sport has fallen by the side. Volleyball, swimming, archery – all these should come to us naturally . why don’t we qualify ?

Do we not have it in us ? Our is such a populous region, why should we blame everything to lack of commercial appeal , does the fault lie elsewhere ?

Are we focusing on too many things, if Cuba can make a name for itself in Boxing & African nations in long distance ruining why cannot we excel in 2-3 chosen sports ?

I solicit views & suggestions from the readers.

 

[Super Falcon]

football struggling here alot

 

[Jako]

I dont know about other states of india,but football is very much alive in bengal(and also goa)......you wont imagine how much we love football,most bengalis prefer football over cricket ( not me though)......even now when two city teams,mohun bagan and east bengal clash we get a jam packed salt lake stadium with 120000 fans........but yes in the last decade or so its popularity among new kids has been decreasing......but still, bengal football, burns......if i am not wrong,football is immensely popular in bangladesh too.......we even have a song which goes like-'sob khelar shera bangalir tumi football'..........just an update from your bengali friend,jako!!!

 

[Mig-29]

In regards to India the others sports do not get much publicity or funds and endorsement .

And even the grant money to develop other sports goes into the pocket of corrupt officials , there was a drama about Indian hockey players missing the flight due to delay in bus service can you imagine that with the Indian cricket team , BCCI is so powerful in the country and we can not say the same about any other sporting body.