The Melodrama of Indian Sports Fans!

The grand spectacle of Indian sports fandom is a performance worthy of an Oscar, a melodramatic saga that unfolds with every Olympic Games. It's almost poetic how Indians lament our dismal Olympic performance on social media every three years as if a few more tweets or posts would magically transform our athletes into world champions.

Here’s the all-too-familiar script of elegiac outburst:

When our athletes fail to bring home the gold, the airwaves explode with fervent outrage. Social media is flooded with posts demanding heads to roll at the sports ministry, blaming the government for not building world-class infrastructure or supporting adequately.

What a passion! The righteous fury! The thunderous clamour for change! But wait, what happens after the initial storm? A magical transformation occurs: the fan morphs into a regular citizen, disappearing into the mundane tapestry of everyday life.

For three years, the drama evaporates. Our once fervent critics are now diligently toiling away at their nine-to-five jobs, obsessively maintaining their lifestyle standards. They spend their hard-earned money on the finest entertainment, from extravagant vacations to the latest tech gadgets, living it up while conveniently ignoring the sports scene. The same hands that once typed fiery diatribes are now busy booking flights and dining out, leaving sports development to the realm of forgotten promises.

Then, like clockwork, the fourth year rolls around. The Olympic Games approach, and voila! The fan is back in full force. The old rants are resurrected with renewed vigour. The cycle of outrage begins anew, with the same fervour as before. The fan’s temporary disappearance for three years is nothing short of an intermission in this grand theatrical production.

The government’s ‘negligence’ towards non-cricket sports is indeed a tragedy of epic proportions—never mind that they’re busy managing an entire country.

The reality check? While everyone’s busy typing away about how their tax money should turn into gold medals, they seem to forget that their participation doesn’t extend beyond their keyboards.

Yes, everyone loves to complain, but where’s the action? How about channelling that boundless outrage into something more constructive?

Recently, a comment on my query about improving the condition of sports in India labelled me as a ‘gyanbaz’ and questioned what I’m personally doing to contribute to the cause. Before I share my own experience and activities, let me give you a little "gyan" on a few practical things. Let’s face it:

1. The loudest critics often contribute the least.

If you’re passionate about improving sports in India, maybe it’s time to stop waiting for the government to do it all and start leading by example.

2. Real change doesn’t come from hashtags—it comes from action.

So, before you vent another complaint online, consider how you might make a difference.

3. Actions speak louder than a thousand posts and tweets.

Instead of tweeting or posting about how ‘cricket is the only sport that matters,’ why not use your social media superpowers to promote local sports events, sponsor a young promising athlete from an economically backward family, or volunteer your time?

Instead of crying over the lack of infrastructure, how about rolling up your sleeves and organizing community sports programs or crowdfunding for equipment?

The general public can play a significant role in the development of sports without government intervention through various means.

Here are some ways the public can contribute:

1. Community Involvement and Support:

• Become a Supporter from being a mere spectator: Membership fees, donations, and sponsorships help local sports clubs and teams cover expenses such as equipment, facility maintenance, and travel costs. Unlike TV viewership, which benefits broadcasters and advertisers, your financial support goes directly to sustaining and developing local sports.
• Attend local sporting events and competitions: High attendance can boost the athletes' morale and provide essential revenue for clubs and organizations.

2. Fundraising and Sponsorship:

• Crowdfunding: Initiate or contribute to crowdfunding campaigns. Your support can provide much-needed resources such as equipment, facilities, and coaching for local athletes. These resources are essential for their development and success, far beyond the indirect benefits that TV viewership might offer.
• Private Sponsorship: Individuals and local businesses can sponsor local teams, athletes, or sports events, providing financial support and resources needed for development and growth.
• Partner with community groups and organizations to pool resources: Create joint efforts in supporting sports development by collaborating with local businesses to create partnerships that benefit sports development. Businesses can offer sponsorships, discounts, or in-kind support for sports initiatives.

3. Volunteering:

• Volunteer as a coach, referee, or mentor for local sports teams: Local sports clubs are often the breeding ground for future talent. Your expertise and guidance can significantly impact young athletes' development.
• Help organize local sports events, tournaments, or community sports days: Volunteers are crucial for the smooth running of these events. Your involvement will set an example and motivate others to engage in local sports activities.

4. Advocacy and Awareness:

• Use social media and other platforms to raise awareness about local sports initiatives, events, and athletes: Instead of ranting and sharing heartbreaking news from different sources, why not focus on sharing positive coverage of sports activities in your area? Such coverage increases their visibility, potentially attracting sponsors, media attention, and additional resources that can help sustain and grow these initiatives.
• Advocate for Facilities: Campaign for better sports facilities and resources within your community. Public pressure can lead to improvements and increased investment from private entities.
• Sharing uplifting and inspiring stories can motivate others to contribute, volunteer, or support local sports in various ways: It turns passive consumption through television viewing into active engagement in the sports, thereby increasing popularity.

5. Building a Sports Culture:

• Promote sports participation among friends, family, and community members: Encourage youth to engage in sports and support their involvement, rather than allowing them to focus solely on academics. Participating in local sports provides valuable opportunities for physical exercise, contributing to better health and fitness. It fosters an active lifestyle, which is beneficial for both physical and mental well-being. Engaging in sports offers positive activities that contribute to their overall development, rather than spending time on activities that may not benefit their health or contribute to society.
• Supporting grassroots sports programs: Consider how much of your savings is spent on entertainment activities that provide personal satisfaction but benefit few others. Have you ever contributed to sports development programs in your community? It is crucial for nurturing young talents and building a strong sports culture from the ground up. By investing in these programs, you help ensure that children and teens have access to quality coaching, facilities, and opportunities to develop their skills. This support not only improves the overall level of competition but also fosters a lifelong love for sports and physical activity. Your involvement can make a significant difference in creating a sustainable and thriving sports community.

Let me share a story of how local support helped identify and shape an amazing sportsperson.

How many of you have heard about Prakashi Tomar, the Indian sharpshooter from Johri village of Uttar Pradesh's Baghpat district? She is one of the oldest sharpshooters in the world and an iconic figure in the shooting sports community.

She broke the barriers sending out the message to the world that age and designations don't define true sportsmanship, it's the mentality and courage that matter most.

Her journey started when she accompanied her daughter, Seema Tomar, to the Johri Rifle Club. Initially there to offer encouragement, she demonstrated an unexpected proficiency in shooting while showing Seema how to handle a gun. The astonishment of Coach Farooq Pathan and his team was palpable. Recognizing her potential, they encouraged her to join the academy, setting the stage for an extraordinary career.

At an age when most would consider retirement, she embarked on a competitive career, eventually amassing over 25 national and international championships. With the support she got from her family and local coach, she accelerated into a new chapter of her life, showcasing that dedication and skill can flourish at any stage, instead of slowing down.

Let’s dive into some self-reflective questions, shall we?

Many of you are quick to enrol your children in sports activities during their childhood—kudos for that! But how many of you actually champion their pursuit if they decide to take it up professionally? It’s easy to cheer from the sidelines when they’re little, but the real challenge is sustaining that enthusiasm when it’s time to push for a career.

And speaking of support, let’s take a nostalgic trip down memory lane.

How many of you have bothered to explore whether your parents, uncles, aunts or even that quirky neighbour once harboured dreams of sports stardom but had to abandon them due to family pressure? Surely, those long-forgotten ambitions are just a footnote in the annals of history, right?

Now, let’s raise the stakes a bit: How many of you would genuinely encourage your 60-year-old mother to dive into a sport she loves? Imagine the audacity—suggesting that she take up archery or tennis instead of knitting and gardening and taking care of the nappy rashes of your babies. After all, who needs a vibrant, active lifestyle in their golden years when there’s a perfectly good armchair waiting?

Think about it. The next time you find yourself bemoaning the state of sports support, remember these questions. It’s not just about celebrating sports heroes but also about fostering and sustaining support through every stage of life. If you can’t muster the enthusiasm to encourage a loved one to chase their sporting dreams, maybe it’s time to reconsider how seriously you take your own sporting causes.

Conclusion:-

In the past, I too was quick to feel frustrated when watching the Olympics, annoyed by the mistakes and apparent negligence that seemed to plague Indian sportspersons. I would often lament the lack of infrastructure and support, blaming these factors for our failures on the global stage.

However, as someone who is now deeply involved in sports, my perspective has shifted significantly. I’ve come to understand that the core issue is not merely about infrastructural deficits or isolated mishaps but about our collective attitude and perspective toward sports.

We often fall into the trap of believing that simply paying taxes or making grandiose claims about support is sufficient to address the challenges faced by athletes. But the reality is far more nuanced. True progress in sports—like in any field—requires more than just financial contributions. It demands thoughtful, proactive actions taken in the right way, at the right time, and directed toward the right individuals.