When we lose at the Olympics we invariably hear the excuse that the countries that win give more money to sports and hence have better facilties. We in India are poor, they say, and we have other priorities...
What about cricket? BCCI is the richest cricketing organization in the world. Cricketers from every country come to India to model in advertisements and make money. Their own countries do not pay them as much as they can earn in India. Yet who are the world champions? Australia!
Let us look at this irony in further detail. The World Champions of Cricket are undoubtably Australia. In Australia the most popular sport is Rugby. Then Soccer. Then Swimming. Then Yachting and only then Cricket! So an Australian teenager would choose which sport to play in that order. So the Australian who dint get into any of those other sports would end up playing cricket!
Now let us look at India. Cricket is by far the most popular sport. No other sport comes close. We have the most money. Even in England the stadiums are full only when India and Pakistan play. Yet the stadiums in England, Australia, South Africa look so much better maintained. The grass is greener and better looking. The pitches are bouncier and firmer.
More youngsters play cricket here than in Australia, South Africa and England combined. Indian cricketers are the richest, most famous and even the most sought after by women! Once again I ask. Who are the World Champions?
If money is not the motivator what is? Private enterpreneurs (advertisers representatives) have to be put on an advisory board to advise the BCCI on harnessing the talent that exists in this country. Ideas have to be sought from the public. The best ideas have to be rewarded ( we certainly have the money).
India have got to be the world champions. It is too embarassing to see us placed fifth among countries for whom cricket is not even the top sport. I once talked to an australian lady online. It was the day of the final of the world cup. Australia was playing to win the world cup. I asked her if she was nervous. She said she had no idea the world cup was going on!
Domestic cricket should be like American basketball. The internal competition is so fierce that they produce world beaters. The prize money for Ranji trophy cricket matches should be increased manifold. The BCCI should allocate a portion of their kitty to fund domestic cricket prize money. Then the TV audience will increase and interest among the public will be generated. Once sponsors come in the competition in Indian domestic cricket will be fierce. Then we will produce world beaters
High School cricket should be a focus. The prize money for InterSchool matches should be increased by several lakhs. In the competition that will ensue we can catch them young. Cricket coaching acdemies will sprout over night. Earlier we start further we will progress
Come on BCCI pull up your socks and stop politicking. Jagmohan Dalmia is not as important as winning the World cup and being world champions
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