Neeraj epitomises the rise of GenNext
Aflurry of medals in the last three days helped India finish the Asian Games with their best- ever tally ( 69, including 15 golds). Cynics might contend that the tally was boosted by success in new or lesserknown disciplines like bridge and wushu, but that is puerile argument.
Playing at an international event is not a piece of cake, whatever the sport. The pressure of competition is intense, and medals have to be earned. They don’t come as gift. All told, this is an impressive performance and should give a fillip to sport in the country.
Otherwise not seen as a priority sector, sport will hopefully now get the attention it deserves — not just from government and sports authorities — but people at large.
The last mentioned aspect, if I need add, is critical if India is to become a sporting nation.
Mass participation is the only way to expand the base, which in turn will lead to more elite athletes at the top of the pyramid. The government and federations are obviously expected to do their bit, but a great deal more depends on how communities, families and individuals adopt and pursue had to settle for a consolation bronze. That this came by beating archrivals Pakistan is of some solace. But minus the jingoistic delight, the hockey scenario throws up more questions than provides answers.
The women’s team fared much better. Reaching the final after 20 years and winning the silver medal was fine achievement. The team’s ranking too has gone up from 12 to 9, so progress is discernible. But like their male counterparts, the women too now have to qualify for the Olympics.
There were shortfalls in medals — or not getting the expected colour — in wre s t l i n g , archery and boxing compared to the previous Games four years back. Fortunately, these were made up by some sterling efforts — individual and team — in other disciplines like squash and table tennis.
The most redeeming aspect of the Asiad for me was the success in track and field events, which yielded a whopping 19 medals, including seven gold ( up from 2 in 2014) and 10 silver, some of them totally unexpected, and most who didn’t win a medal exceeding their personal best.
Clearly something right is happening in this stream. Incidentally, the Athletics Federation of India is the only sports body headed by a former athlete, Adille Sumariwalla. Is there is a message in that somewhere I wonder?