If any of you were thinking about the Bangalore WTA Open or the India-SL ODI series or the Johnie Walker Gold Cup Polo tournament then I think you will belong to the majority of the people in India.
I was actually referring to the 33rd National Games which involved 11000 athletes
officials and volunteers participating to make it the biggest National Games ever.
The Games went off well without a hitch inspite of pre event terrorist threats and
official apathy.
But even though several records were broken and various sportsmen bettered their own times none of them got any media spotlight or the kind of media coverage expected for an event of this scale.Infact I did not see any of the news channels having even a paltry 5 minute slot to cover the National Games over the past 10 days.The only channel which was showcasing anything regarding the National Games was DD Sports which is a state owned TV channel.
None of the CNN-IBNs NDTVs or TimesNows had daily coverages of the National Games.
If I remember right the only kind of coverage with regards the National Games were the Opening and Closing ceremonies.Why,because they were cultural events involving some well known Bollywood faces.
A non event like Saif Ali Khan being hospitalised is shown as Breaking News with irritating news anchors asking Eye witnesses "What happened to Saif Ali Khan".."Do you think he is out of danger".."What were the peoples reaction when Saif complained of uneasiness ".."What was Saif wearing when he was hospitalised".."Do you think
Saif had eaten Bhelpuri ".
Are these issues of National concern which are to be reported as Breaking News.
These same bloody news channels feel that Rehan Poncha or Richa Mishra breaking 10 year old records in Swimming are not worth reporting.
Shah Rukh Khan's banian clad video of Kar le kar le is shown on News channels as if it were the Prime Ministers Address to the Nation where as
the same banian clad men from Services Boxing team winning gold models seems to be not news worthy.
Anna Nicole Smith's death was reported across all news channels with as much attention as deserving of a head of state.But how many people know that a bus carrying rowers from the Services team suffered an accident right opposite the Games complex in Guwahati and 20 fit athletes were injured before the start of the Games.These are the kind of things which are to be highlighted by the media
not the death of a gold digging model like Anna Nicole Smith.
I think if Indian sports is to reach greater levels then the media should start highlighting and focussing on other sports heroes as well and not only on our cricketing demi gods.Even if the sportsmen dont receive the kind of money associated with cricketers if the media showcases their achievements to the public then these
sportsmen get some kind of recognition for their efforts and sacrifices.
I hope the CNN-IBNs and NDTVs read this and start doing something to give a fillip to our beleagured athletes .
RongMon the Mascot of the National Games
The 33rd National Games
