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 India
has never been considered a strong sporting nation internationally
in cricket and hockey. But thejust concluded 17th Commonwealth Games
in Manchester, England, has given a fresh lease of hope and pride in
Indian sport. India won 32 gold, 21 silver and 19 bronze medals, and
that is the nation’s best-ever achievement in any sporting event at
the international level. Moreover, the Indian women’s hockey team
and athletes, opened their account in the Commonwealth Games for the
first time. Long jumper Anju Bobby George, became the first Indian
woman athlete to win a medal in this tournament.
With 72 medals, India not only occupied the third place behind
Australia and England but was ahead of Commonwealth sporting
superpowers such as South Africa, New Zealand and Canada also.
Undoubtedly, it is a remarkable display by Indian sportspersons and
all credit should go to the players and also their coaches who
worked hard to shape young talent into a medal wining group.
The 148-member Indian team led by ace shooter Anjali M. Bhagwat,
herself a winner of four gold needs, won medals in nine out of the
10 events it participated in, the sole exception being gymnastics.
But one has to keep in mind that the Commonwealth Games was just a
first step for the Indian players as the Asian Games in South Korea,
is just ahead and then come the Olympics. But, certainly, the
Commonwealth Games results gives some hope that our national flag
will grace the victory stand at the Asian and Olympic Games. At
least shooting and hockey should not let us down there.
Prefect Shot: Shooting is a sport that has normally been associated
with royal families. Long back, in 1978, at the Bangkok Asian Games,
Randhir Singh, now Indian Olympic Association Secretary-General, won
the gold medal. In the 72-year history of the Commonwealth Games,
India has never sparkled in shooting till now. Ashok Pandit won the
only gold medal in centre fire pistol in the 1990 Auckland Games.
Things started to change after that as Jaspal Rana, current winner
of four golds, clinched two gold medals in 1994. And then in the
1998 edition of the Games in Kuala Lumpur, India marched further and
brought home four gold and two silver medals. But the Manchester
haul of 14 gold medals in shooting shows that India is now very much
in a position to make a good showing in the upcoming Asian Games. As
most of the shooters are young, this is the right time to exploit
their talent by providing necessary facilities to them. Shooting is
an extremely expensive sport and without Government help it is
impossible to perform beyond one’s capacity.
Young marksmen like Abhinav Bindra, who won the first gold medal for
India in the 10 metre air rifle pairs, Anjali Bhagwat, Suma Shirur
and Shweta Choudhary and many others, have proved themselves in
Manchester. Now it is up to the Government machinery to clear the
way for another success in Korea. There India will face tougher
competition from shooters from South Korea, Japan, China, and
Thailand. They need all the backup they can get.
From Corner to Forward: It was a nail-biting final in the womens’
hockey between India and Great Britain at the Commonwealth Games.
India, almost out of the competition, never before having won a
single medal in this sport, has created history with the golden goal
of young Mamta Kharab. After a shaky start in the first two matches,
the Indian eves found themselves well in control, courtesy again of
Mamta Kharab, against tournament favourite and titleholder, New
Zealand, in the semi-final which they won 2-1. By beating hosts
England with their ‘hit and run’ play, the team opened a new chapter
in Indian women’s hockey.
Most players are as young as 17. This title has infused confidence
into them which is a much-needed boost for women’s hockey. The
Indian women’s hockey team will have to repeat their achievement
after two months in South Korea. Lets see what happens!
It’s a Woman’s World: How strong is the Indian woman? Ask N
Kunjarani. India women were never considered strong contenders in
men-dominated sports like weightlifting. N. Kunjarani, dangling
three gold medals in the 48 kg category around her neck, along with
other woman lifters, proved this to be a myth. India finished third
overall with 72 medals in which 30 went to weightlifters and women
won 18 medals including 8 gold. This tally would have been higher if
Krishnan Madasamy had not been stripped of his three silver medals
after a drug test.
Future Hopes: Names like Mohammad Ali Qumar, Mamta Kharb, Anjali
Bhagwat and Suma Shirur represent the new hope of Indian sports.
Their performance in Manchester was extraordinary and one should not
surprised if they translate their skill into another proud moment
for the nation in the Asian Games in Korea.
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