We must encourage and empower our kids with facilities, says sports Payal
The Olympic fever has gripped the nation and Payal Ghosh is not immune to it! The actor has been watching every game where Indian athletes are participating at the ongoing Tokyo Games. The selfconfessed sports fanatic says, “I am so inspired by the way our athletes, especially women, are fighting it out at the Tokyo Olympics. Be it Lovlina Borgohain, Mirabai Chanu, PV Sindhu, Mary Kom or our Indian women’s hockey team, they are leaving no stone unturned to bring glory to the nation.”
Ghosh feels that we need many more such athletes in our country, and the joy that sports brings to us is paramount. “That’s what sports can do to us. It inspires us,” she continues. “Every kid should have the right to play the sport they love. And we must encourage and empower our kids with those facilities. When that happens, we can go a long way as a sports-loving nation, and not just a sportsperson-loving nation. Not just for the medals and the championships, we need to play like never before because of the joy, intensity and the lessons sports give, and every kid has that right.”
Citing the example of the US and how they have been able to weave success stories over the years, the actor says, “The US has been the epitome of Olympics success and the entire sports fraternity is run by private players, backed by their government.”
Not one to merely preach, Ghosh is set on doing her bit to help kids inculcate a love of sports. So, she has decided to give sporting goods for a year to an NGO for underprivileged children.
“Sports is the best reality show and it has the power to shake up the world. Our sportspersons embody that. This is the change we have to bring and let each kid play from a young age. I can’t wait to be associated with this and I am really looking forward to being a part of this change,” she concludes.
Not just for medals, we need to play like never before for the joy and lessons sports gives. Every kid has that right. PAYAL GHOSH, Actor